Laois CO Council must install cycle lanes on dangerous road
THE Ballyfin Road is in dire need of cycle lanes and fencing along the ring road roundabout at Fairgreen, as at least three drivers have had accidents there in recent months, while cyclists braving the route describe these spots as very dangerous.
The motion was brought to the latest meeting of the Portlaoise municipal district by independent councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley. The official response from the area office was: "The preliminary design for the cycling route was prepared as part of the future phase of the Tripway cycling scheme, which includes Ballyfin and the Mountmellick road. Subject to the provision of funding, the project will progress through public accommodation. The boundary fencing adjacent to the public road is the responsibility of the landowner."
Cllr Dwane Stanley was heartened to hear that there would be some progress on the long-awaited cycle lanes, especially having been advocating for its implementation for such a long time. The councillor described the route as a black spot for cyclists and deadly dangerous, given traffic speed on Ballyfin Road.
As a measure for the future, she urged the area office to consider additional traffic calming measures for Ballyfin Road.
Turning to the issue of fencing along the ring road, the councillor said that the local farmer whose land fronted onto the road was putting the council to shame by setting up hundreds of metres worth of electric fencing himself, while the section the council is in charge of was in disrepair and enabling cars to tumble off-road.
On that point, she urged the area office to repair the fencing, though by the end of the motion there was no confirmation on that point.
