More bollards needed along the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise says councillor

LAST year Laois County Council spent over €4 million on a road safety upgrade along the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise.

As part of the works, over 300 wooden roadside bollards were installed along the route. 

However when the works were nearing completion numerous complaints were made about how narrow the road was made and about the bollards that were installed at entrances and exits to housing estates and business along the road. There were also issues expressed about the lack of clear signage distinguishing cycle lanes and footpaths The council took the issues on board and removed some of the bollards that were causing the issues.

Now however, a local councillor has called for more bollards and double yellow no parking lines to be erected along the road in front of a couple of housing estates.

At the March meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District Council cllr Tommy Mulligan asked for the installation of bollards on the cycle/pedestrian lane in front of Powerscourt estate and for the double yellow lines to be painted along the avenue entrance into the Abbey Court estate.

The council’s senior executive engineer Wes Wilkinson said that he would facilitate cllr Mulligan in regards to his request for the yellow lines in the vicinity of Abbey Court and would arrange to meet him to identify the exact location where he was looking to have the bollards erected at the Powerscourt estate.

Regarding his request for the bollards at Powerscourt estate cllr Mulligan said: “During match days (in nearby O’Moore Park) cars are parking up on the footpaths and cycle lanes here and when the residents are coming out their views are being obstructed and can’t see cyclists or pedestrians. It’s an accident waiting to happen. You will probably need a bollard on each side of the entrance. I know a number of residents are keen to meet you (Mr Wilkinson) there. Frustration among the residents comes from the fact that Cherrygarth have bollards in place and they don’t have any in Powerscourt.” 

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said that she fully supports cllr Mulligan in his call for the bollards.

On his call for the double yellow lines at Abbey Court, which again was supported by cllr Fitzgerald, cllr Mulligan said: “It’s a similar issue to Powerscourt. The residents frustration here is also around match days and cars parking. It’s a narrow road as it is and when the residents are coming out of the estate their views are obstructed. There’s also concerns about the particularly tight bend there and for an ambulance of fire brigade to get into the estate.”