Laois residents worried over construction of new estate

RESIDENTS are enduring serious disruption and safety worries in a local housing estate, as more than 40 new homes are being built behind their properties.

Construction vehicles are speeding through the estate and cement lorries are parked outsides people’s homes for hours according to residents, while work goes on early in the morning and late at night.

People living at Radharc Na Sléibhte in Mountrath made a complaint to Laois County Council about the issues, which were highlighted at a council meeting by Independent councillor James Kelly.

Planning permission was granted by the council for 44 new houses at Derrybeg Close on the Shannon Road, behind the Radharc Na Sléibhte estate which has 42 homes.

The planning permission allowed construction vehicles to gain access to the new site through Radharc Na Sléibhte, which has created a major headache for residents.

Cllr Kelly told a council meeting that there was no provision for slowing down construction traffic when permission was granted, as he called for speed ramps to be installed at Radharc Na Sléibhte.

He said that while construction of more than 40 new homes on the Shannon Road was good news for the town, ‘serious road safety concerns’ and other issues must be resolved.

At the December meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District, Cllr Kelly called for speed ramps to be installed in Radharc Na Sléibhte, as he outlined some of the issues raised in the residents’ planning complaint.

He said: “Vehicles are entering the site before 7am, which they are not supposed to do. Heavy goods vehicles are coming into the estate after 10pm, which they are not supposed to do.

“Construction vehicles and workers are driving at speed through the estate and cement lorries are being parked outside people’s homes for hours.” 

The Mountrath councillor proposed the installation of speed ramps at Radharc Na Sléibhte, “to slow down the traffic going through to the new 44-unit development Derrybeg Close”.

He said: “There are no speed ramps at all in Radharc Na Sléibhte and they are going to have construction vehicles going in and out for months now.” 

Senior engineer Rory O’Callaghan replied that the L-5673 Shannon Road is included in the 2025 restoration improvement roads works programme, adding: “The provision of measures to comply with speed limits will be examined as part of the design process.” 

Cllr John King questioned why speed ramps are not automatically included when any estate is being built, rather than installed later.

Cllr King remarked: “A road is done and then they have to tear it up to put in ramps. It should be done at the same time if possible.” 

Director of services Donal Brennan replied that this would normally depend on the individual design of an individual estate. He said: “I will bring it to the attention of the housing section and the road design section.” 

Derrybeg Close will contain four two-bedroom semi-detached homes, 12 three-bedroom terraced houses and 28 three-bedroom semi-detached homes.

In a separate proposal, Cllr Kelly asked for remedial works to resolve flooding problems at a residence in Spa Hill, Mountrath “as a matter of urgency”. Mr O’Callaghan confirmed that the necessary works would be carried out.