There’s no doubting it’s a busy road – and a busy village/town – but there are no plans for a roundabout approaching Durrow from the Abbeyleix side, despite a plea from local councillor Ollie Clooney at a meeting in Laois County Council this week.
Cllr Clooney was speaking at the October meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District where one of his three motions called for a roundabout to be installed on the N77/R434 junction. That is the intersection where the main road meets the Swan road towards Ballacolla and past The Harps GAA club.
The Council response, from the Road Design Office, stated: “There are no plans by TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) or Laois County Council to consider this.
“Significant traffic congestion and collisions at the intersection would have to be demonstrated for this to be considered.”
“This is bad news,” said Cllr Clooney. “When I hear ‘TII’ you have to get depressed.
“At times there can be 30-40 cars backed up. Not only would it help the Swan Road, it would help ease traffic.
“I’d say some cars coming on the main road are doing twice the speed limit. I don’t see any Garda vans or any speed vans.
“But we have to try and keep the fight up. You see roundabouts in Portlaoise every 10 yards. But there’s no money for rural roads. I’m certainly not impressed.”
Cllr Clooney was supported by Cllr James Kelly. “That road is a gateway to the west from Durrow. The fire service is also there. If there is traffic there, the fire brigade are affected getting out.
“There are roundabouts all over the place in Portlaoise and there is certainly a need for one in Durrow as a matter of urgency.”
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