“Fundamental road safety deficiencies” are causing “severe and persistent hazards” in a large housing estate in Portlaoise.
That is according to Portlaoise Parents For Safer Streets (PPFSS), an advocacy group for greater road safety in the town.
“Our community is facing severe and persistent hazards due to insufficient traffic calming measures, a representative said.
“Without urgent intervention, I fear it is only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs.
“In the past eighteen months, two children have tragically lost their lives in estates identical to Bellingham — Rosaleen McDonagh in Fairgreen (August 2023) and Aaron Hussain in Kilminchy (February 2025).
“These estates, like Bellingham, were developed by ONS and share the same fundamental road safety deficiencies.
“The parallels between these developments are deeply concerning, and residents fear that unless proactive measures are taken, Bellingham will suffer a similar fate.”
- Narrow roads due to extensive on-street parking outside densely built homes, leading to reduced visibility and unsafe driving conditions.
- Overpopulation and inadequate road infrastructure to support the high volume of traffic entering and exiting the estate.
- Illegal parking on blind bends, significantly increasing the risk of collisions.
- Obstructed pathways caused by illegally parked vehicles, forcing children, elderly residents, and those using buggies or mobility aids onto the roadway.
- Excessive speeding throughout the estate, with insufficient deterrents in place to curb reckless driving.
- Lack of adequate speed ramps, enabling vehicles to travel at dangerous speeds through residential areas.
“Too often, safety measures are implemented only after a devastating loss has already occurred.
“We cannot afford to wait for another preventable tragedy before action is taken in Bellingham.”
Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming has told the group he will meet with them in the estate this weekend, while Fine Gael TD Willie Aird has asked that engineers from Laois County Council also meet with residents in Bellingham.
The following traffic calming measures have been requested:
- Installation of bollards to prevent illegal and hazardous parking on footpaths and junctions.
- Double yellow lines in critical areas to compel residents to use designated parking spaces and ensure pedestrian pathways remain unobstructed.
- Additional speed ramps throughout the estate to effectively reduce vehicle speeds.
- Improved road signage to warn drivers of children at play and reinforce speed restrictions.
- Increased enforcement of parking regulations, including penalties for those who park illegally on footpaths and blind bends.
- Designated pedestrian crossings in high-risk zones to provide safer routes for children and other residents.
