Laois County Council have said they will engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) with a view to straightening the busy N80 road at Ballickmoyler village.
Two Laois councillors had motions at this week’s meeting of the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District in Laois County Council.
Cllr Padraig Fleming and Cllr Aisling Moran had their separate motions heard together.
Cllr Fleming’s motion stated that the council and TII “be requested to carry out road realignment works of 240 metres in Ballickmoyler village on the N80 coming from the Carlow side of the village and to take out and remove two dangerous bends entering the village”.
“This will ensure that all traffic coming from the Strand Road will have a clear view of all traffic coming from the Carlow direction and will enable them to turn right on the N80 or cross the junction in a safe manner in the interests of all road users at this very busy junction,” added Cllr Fleming’s motion.
Cllr Moran’s motion asked that as well as straightening the N80, speed tables should be installed to “reduce the speed of traffic going through the village”.
The two motions got the same official response from Paul McLoughlin, senior engineer.
“Laois County Council will engage with TII to review the potential for improvements on the approach road to the village and at the junction itself,” said the response.
“In advance of this engagement, data will be gathered and surveys undertaken to allow a feasibility and options report be prepared to inform TII’s Safety Improvement Scheme application process.”
“It’s very simple, I’d say the landowners will deal with you,” added Cllr Moran.
“We had a meeting with the TII two years ago and were told they would meet us again in six months but they didn’t.
“We need another meeting with the TII. We have to make this road safer.
“I’ve asked also for speed radars. It’s a road that something is going to happen on.”
“If they remove the ditch going back 250 metres towards Carlow, cars coming in will be able to see the full village,” added Cllr Padraig Fleming.
“I’ve been checking out the maps. There are some sites not registered and there are some land owners will have no problem.
“The answer from the council is positive. It will take a while and there is a lot of work to be done but this is the worst part of the N80 going through Laois.”
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