Laois County Council have been presented with a petition containing over 500 signatures this week, as a rural community aims to send a strong message.
Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney presented the petition at the May meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District meeting this week.
The point of the petition is for the Council to install a pedestrian crossing at the Community Centre in Cullohill.
“This is our last meeting (before the Local Elections); we get three notice of motions each month, but the support that I’ve had for this motion far outweighs anything I’ve brought before,” Cllr Clooney said.
The Independent Cllr then presented the book of signatures from Cullohill as well as correspondence from 21 different clubs and letters from parents and individuals.
“The creche is closing in Cullohill, and there’s talks of trying to start a pre-school creche in the Community Centre.
“To do that, the children would have to cross that road – and we all know, the speed in Cullohill is unbelievable.
“We have to do everything in our power to address this before the end of the summer holidays.”
Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer at the County Council’s Roads Department responded, saying his department “will review the current pedestrian movements at the community centre and investigate the potential for installing a pedestrian crossing.”
Fellow Independent Cllr James Kelly supported the motion, telling Municipal District staff that “the vast majority of our motions are for road safety.”
Cllr Kelly said this proves District, and the County Council as a whole, “need more funding” dedicated to safety on our roads.
Next, Cllr Clooney called for the Council to install safety measures at Our Lady’s Meadow Primary School in Durrow.
Mr Dowling said the Roads Department have carried out a site inspection and are arranging for additional road markings to highlight the presence of the school to traffic travelling through Durrow.
Cllr Clooney asked if there would also be flashing lights installed, insisting there is no safety provisions on the Abbeyleix side of the road.
Cllr Clooney concluded by calling for the Council to install a ramp on the road at the primary school in Shanahoe.
Mr Dowling said Municipal District staff will visit the site “to identify the need for a ramp at this location.”
