A proposal to add a cycle lane to the old main Dublin Road from the Kildare border outside Monasterevin to The Heath is being considered by Laois County Council.
Cllr Tom Mulhall proposed at the recent meeting of the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District that “Laois County Council put in place pedestrian and cycle lanes on the R445 from Killinure Cross to the Wheel Inn junction to the R419 and also look at installing them on as many roads as possible in the interest of safety”.
Cllr Mulhall said that the volume of people out cycling in recent months due to the Coronavirus travel restrictions have increased hugely and having safe cycle routes is of utmost importance.
Referencing the popular walking spot at Rathadaire Woods near Ballybrittas and the ever busy Emo Court, as well as the large amount of employment on that road, he said cycling needs to be encouraged and the Council must play their part in making it safe to do so.
Philip McVeigh, who is a Senior Executive Engineer with Laois County Council said that they are applying for funding.
And he confirmed that a cycle lane on the route proposed by Cllr Mulhall “is being included in an application to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for funding under Covid-19 Interim Mobility Measures”.
Mr McVeigh explained that there are a lot of junctions on that stretch of road that have to be taken into consideration.
“It’s encouraging to see so many people out cycling – some going to work, some out for exercise. It’s lovely to see and I’d welcome it very much,” added Cllr Mulhall.
“But we have to put in road safety measures.”
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