Portlaoise councillors have spelled out in no uncertain terms to local authority officials their growing concerns about road safety and traffic management in the vicinity of local primary schools.
The general consensus is that current dangers around speeding and set-down, heavy traffic and large trucks are only going to get worse when the new section of the Portlaoise orbital route comes in to operation.
There are also worries about the increased traffic levels using the Meelick route and accessing on to the Abbeyleix Road. The delay in repairing flashing amber lights at school crossings is also causing frustration.
Both councillors Noel Tuohy and Willie Aird tabled motions calling for remedial action to be taken to address safety concerns at the Holy Family Schools. They were supported by the other councillors for the area.
Cllr Noel Tuohy asked that in view of the increasing volume of traffic using the road servicing the schools complex that the Council introduce traffic calming measures particularly on the stretch between the Holy Family Schools and the Aghnaharna roundabout.
“Apart from heavy passing traffic this road is used by residents of Beladd Upper and Lower, Summerhill and Summerhill Lane, Aghnaharna and Ashwood Walk. It is also a popular pedestrian and cycling route,” noted Cllr Tuohy who lives in that area.
The response he got wasn’t altogether to his liking. He was told by Area Engineer, Mr Farhan Nasiem that there is adequate public lighting along this route in addition to controlled and uncontrolled facilities for pedestrians.
“Cycling facilities are also integrated into the footpaths with ample width for both cyclists and pedestrians. The appropriate traffic control measures are already in place. This stretch of road is within a 50kph speed limit zone. It is the duty of An Garda Síochana to enforce the speed limit,” outlined the engineer.
“I’m not happy with that reply,” said Cllr Tuohy. “There are hundreds of children, parents and grandparents using this road. The traffic is either going too fast or at a complete standstill.
“We could do with a flashing speed indicator such as are located elsewhere. They are bombing down that road at 60, 70 and 80. These are great schools and it’s great to have them but there’s also a great danger.”
Cllr Willie Aird also called on the council to take in charge the roads at the Holy Family schools campus. These are public roads, not private, he said and yet they are not taken in charge.
Cllr Pauline Madigan asked would railings make sense and she endorsed Cllr Tuohy’s concerns as “it is an accident waiting to happen” she felt.
Engineer Wes Wilkinson said it was their intention to make the bollards on that road more permanent over time.
Cllr Willie Aird was of the view that traffic and safety issues around the schools were only going to get worse.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet. Once the new road opens it’s going to push all the heavy traffic around by the schools as they head for Rosslare.
“Sometimes there are nine lorries in a row at Meelick at present and they will all go by the schools. We need a proper plan for the whole area. All it takes is for one artic to suck a child in under it.
“These are h’penny baby kids and I think you need railings the whole way down the road to protect them and there are also children walking out to the GAA,” asserted Cllr Aird.
Cllr Caroline Dwane added that it was vital that measures be taken as there is a strong possibility that there might even be another new school going in that location, resulting in more traffic. (A new permanent site is still being sought in Portlaoise for Choláiste Dhun Masc, which is currently temporarily located at the former Vocational School).
Cllr Dwane also asked the Engineer Mr Wilkinson to address the traffic management, chaotic parking and road safety issues around set down at Scoil Bhride in Knockmay.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald agreed that one the new road opens there would be serious implications for traffic volumes and traffic flow. New permanent railings and bollards would help she thought.
In relation to safety at schools, a frustrated Cllr John Joe Fennelly reminded officials that months after he first raised it, the flashing warning lights at Spink national school still hadn’t been fixed.
He urged greater vigilance and urgency be applied to the contract for repairing and maintaining the warning lights at all schools.
No Right Turn at Meelick
In a related matter Cllr Willie Aird asked for an update on plans for a roundabout at the junction of Meelick Road and the Abbeyleix Road.
The official reply was that they were planning to introduce a no-right-turn instead of a roundabout coming out of Meelick and this was currently being designed in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Cllr Aird said that he had reservations about a no-right-turn regime at this junction as a roundabout would give everyone a chance.
He said there were long-time residents in the area and a lot of agricultural machinery needing to cross over to Lalor’s of Togher.
He felt there was plenty of room there for a roundabout and this would be preferable to prohibiting traffic from turning right as this would be difficult for farmers and slow moving vehicles.
He noted that there was a new filling station under construction there and no right turn would force traffic up to the busy Togher roundabout. He asked the Council to consider a trial for a roundabout at the Meelick junction.
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