Calls to fast-track pedestrian crossing in Laois village

BEFORE a pedestrian crossing can be installed in Ballybrittas village a road safety audit will be carried out.

That was the response by the council’s senior engineer at the roads section Paul McLoughlin to cllr Aidan Mullins who called for the crossing and traffic calming measures to be installed in the village.

Mr McLoughlin told the November meeting of councillors from the Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District, that to date, information on traffic counts and movements, speed surveys and pedestrian movements have already been gathered which will be used to determine the suitability of a pedestrian crossing in the area.

He said the gathered information, will now be used for a design for the crossing, and subject to an independent road safety audit, an application would be made to fund it.

Cllr Mullins said: “It’s good to see that these actions have been taken. The only concern I would have is that progress is very slow after traffic counts and surveys are carried out.

“We see this in Portarlington with the proposed traffic calming measures along Lea Road from the Monasterevin side. Surveys were carried out along this road a number of years ago. The plans are in place. The measures have been designed and agreed, but no action has been taken since. It’s probably to do with the funding.” 

“While this (Ballybrittas) is the first step, we could be here in two years’ time still talking about the installation of these traffic safety measures. I hope that is not the case. I hope this will be prioritised and fast-tracked because it’s badly needed,” he said.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy said: “This has being going on for a long number of years. Most of us (councillors) have been contacted by the residents association there. It’s a pretty dangerous straight part of the road. I too would like to see this fast-tracked as soon as possible.”