A bus stop on the Mountrath Road is in urgent need of a pedestrian crossing

SAFETY concerns have been sparked owing to the lack of public use of a pedestrian crossing on the Mountrath Road, with most pedestrians opting to run across the busy road between the two bus stops rather than trek down to the official crossing.

Councillor Tommy Mulligan raised the issues at the latest meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District, where he urged Laois County Council to install an additional pedestrian crossing where the two bus stops currently face each other.

The response from a representative of LCC was thus:

“An assessment of active travel services is being prepared and this will be used to inform future upgrades to the network including pedestrian crossing lines in key places. The area office will arrange to meet the councilor on site.” In making his case for the motion, Councillor Mulligan highlighted that while the bus service had been fantastic for the town, it had also given rise to some safety concerns along the Mountrath Road. At the bus stops in question - both stops face each other across the street - people often simply ignore the pedestrian crossing further down the road and run across the traffic to reach the  bus stop opposite. He said:

“And there are a number of complaints from passersby and motorists and residents there and just a huge fear that people will get knocked down as they are crossing. And I'm glad to hear the council are going to review the situation.” In addition, the Councillor added that he was seeking for the existing 60km speed limit at the Maryborough section of road to be lowered as it was “vital” for safety on the road.

The motion was seconded by LCC Cathaoirleach Barry Walsh who urged that any planned crossing be a regulated one - with lights - as there were many children in the area.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme