A busy N80 road junction in Laois needs more works even after ‘extensive’ work was carried out on it in 2017.
The Nyra junction on the N80 outside Mountmellick on the Tullamore Road had seen four accidents over the last 18 months prior to its upgrade, but now it is revealed that it needs further works carried out on it.
Cllr Seamus McDonald proposed further safety measures at the junction at the latest Mountmellick/Borris-in-Ossory municipal district meeting.
In a written statement, Senior Engineer at Laois County Council, Mr Farhan Nasiem, said that ‘extensive’ works were carried out at the junction in October 2017.
“The N80 Nyra junction was identified by Laois County Council in 2017 as requiring a road safety upgrade.
“The Nyra turn off is used frequently by vehicles as an alternative to going through the town of Mountmellick which has on street parking as well as two severe ninety degree bends.
“The N80 has upwards of 8,000 vehicles per day through Mountmellick. There two issues combined to slow movements through the town, leading to vehicles using the R422 to Mullaghanard cross and the L2095 to Nyra as an alternative,” he said.
Mr Nasiem added that a site inspection showed issues with sight distance as vehicles approached the junction.
“Vehicles coming from Tullamore and turning right were vulnerable due to limited sight distance in advance and the speed of approaching vehicles.
“There have been numerous accidents at this location with four accidents over the last 18 months prior to the upgrade,” he said.
Ditches and trees were taken out to improve sight distance at the junction and a new fence was installed.
Still not safe
Cllr McDonald welcomed the detailed response from the council but stressed the present safety concerns facing a local family.
“The main problem is that there is a family near the cross who have no view coming out onto the road.
“They would be in a position to take the ditches out themselves if they had help with traffic management from the council,” he said.
Area engineer Mr Paul McLoughlin said Laois County Council would be prepared to look into the situation.
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