Elderly people forced to climb dangerous slope near Laois retirement village

Multiple safety concerns have been raised regarding the area outside the Sue Ryder retirement village in Portlaoise.

At the recent Portlaoise MD meeting, local councillors Barry Walsh and Caroline Dwane Stanley flagged numerous concerns regarding the safety of residents from the Sue Ryder centre.

Included in these concerns were issues with residents struggling to cross the road, no footpaths and the dangerous dike across from the centre which elderly people have been spotted trying to climb up. 

Cllr Barry Walsh requested Laois County Council to install a pedestrian crossing and associated signage and lighting at the residential community in Kilminchy. 

Speaking at the recent meeting of the Portlaoise MD, Cllr Walsh said that he had been contacted by residents and management at Sue Ryder regarding road safety concerns in the area. 

The Portlaoise councillor noted that residents from Sue Ryder are finding it "very dangerous" at times trying to cross the busy road there to access the local shops.

"Getting a safe crossing for them is hugely important," Cllr Walsh told the council. 

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Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supported the motion by Cllr Walsh, later highlighting other safety issues in the area when bringing forth her own motion on the council taking in charge multiple areas in Kilminchy. 

In addition to residents struggling to safely cross the road, Cllr Dwane Stanley noted that there is no footpath at all across from the entrance of Sue Ryders. 

She explained that the large dike across the road is also causing difficulties there for residents who have to essentially climb up it. 

"It really is quite high for elderly people. When I was there with residents I actually saw two elderly people along the fence trying to climb up it because it's very mucky with all the rain that fell," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

"It would be absolutely fantastic if there could be a footpath as well in conjunction with a pedestrian crossing. Not just for the benefit of those in Sue Ryder but for everyone," she told the council.

The Portlaoise MD office confirmed that they would make themselves available to meet Cllr Walsh on site at Sue Ryders in Kilminchy with a view to examining the location for the installation of a pedestrian crossing.

Laois County Council said that, subject to the examination of the site, it may be considered for an application for funding under the Safety and Improvement Works scheme for 2027.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme