New funding for Road Safety Measures for the Rathdowney to Ballacolla Road at Middlemount has been made available.
An additional €50,000 has now been sanctioned under Laois County Councils (LCC) road safety measures in the 2020 Programme.
Laois TD Brian Stanley welcomed the news.
The Sinn Fein TD said: “I very much welcome the approval of this funding for what is one of the most dangerous roads in Laois.
“Last year I met with people who live in the locality and highlighted the urgent need for improvements on this one kilometre section of R433 at Middlemount.
“Since then LCC have erected extra signage and a flashing speed radar unit.
“Local residents are very concerned about traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, speeding along this narrow section of roadway in the vicinity of their homes.
“One house adjacent to the road had minor damage done to it by a passing lorry. Unfortunately there have been a number of fatalities here in recent years.
“The Road Design Engineer is now examining the most appropriate options to make the road safer and how the funding can be used to maximum benefit.
“While the additional safety works for this year is good news in the medium term, what is really required is a major upgrade of the road at Middlemount.
“While the remainder of the R433 from Manor Stone to Rathdowney has been upgraded over the years, this dangerous and narrow section of it has not been widened and realigned.
“It is now time for it to be prioritised and I again call for this to be done.”
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