Speed survey for 'outrageous' Laois road

A SPEED and traffic survey will be carried out on a residential road in Borris-in-Ossory, following complaints about “outrageous” speeding.

A traffic calming scheme will then be designed and costed for St Patrick’s Terrace on the town’s Rathdowney road, if the survey shows that safety measures are required.

The issue was raised by Cllr Conor Bergin this morning, at the February meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.

He called on Laois County Council to install traffic calming measures “as a matter of priority”, to address speeding problems at St Patrick’s Terrace as well as the Deanswood housing estate.

Cllr Bergin said that more than 30 new houses have been built along the road, many occupied by council tenants and there are a lot of young families with school-going children. Although the homes are in a 50kph zone, drivers regularly exceed the speed limit.

The proposal was supported by Cllr James Kelly, who said: “The speed on that road is outrageous.” Senior engineer Paul McLoughlin replied that the municipal district office would have a traffic and speed survey carried out.

He said: “A traffic calming scheme will be designed and costed, if required. Funding for the scheme will be provided from either a low-cost safety scheme application to the department or from the municipal district discretionary grants.” 

The move follows an appeal by Cllr Kelly, at a previous council meeting, for urgent reinstatement of the boundary wall at the Deanswood estate, “in the interest of road safety for all”.

He was supported by Cllr Bergin, as both councillors highlighted the growing number of residents in the area.

Cllr Bergin said: “There are three estates on that road now, Slieve Bloom View, St Patrick’s Terrace and Deanswood, all in a small area. They need this boundary wall.” 

A council official said that staff would meet Cllr Kelly on site regarding the boundary wall issue.