‘You could literally have the nose of your car taken off’, meeting hears of N80 junction in Laois

Motorists risk ‘literally’ having the ‘nose of your car taken off’ at a dangerous junction on the N80, a meeting was told. 

Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan has requested action to make the junction safe. She tabled a motion asking  “that Laois County Council examine junction safety between the N80 and the L3960 to Ballyadams. ”

In a written response, a Road Design Engineer at Laois County Council stated that: “Road Design will meet with Cllr Phelan at this location. A full safety assessment will be carried out. Road Design will liaise with the Eastern Area Engineer and if possible, measures will be installed to help alleviate possible safety issues.” 

Cllr Phelan explained that visibility is the primary problem at the junction.

“The N80 has very fast moving traffic so you could literally get the nose of your car taken off,” she said. She said it would be great if something could be done to improve safety at the location. 

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan described it as a “very good motion” as “nothing had been done” with the junction. He said “it’s dangerous” and a particular hazard for tractor drivers exiting the junction. 

The motion was seconded by Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District which was held at the newly refurbished Market House in Portarlington.