Serious budget constraints for road works in Laois

Road safety measures in Borris-in-Ossory cannot be carried out due to funding

Published 11th Jul 2026, 12:53 BST File photo. Road safety measures in Borris-in-Ossory cannot be carried out due to funding Sign up to our Laois Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Laois Live within your account.

Another proposal of road safety works has been shut down by Laois County Council over a lack of funding.

Speaking at the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick MD meeting this week, Cllr James Kelly requested Laois County Council to address the road safety issues at St Patrick’s Terrace on the Ballybrophy Road in Borris-in-Ossory and to install traffic calming measures.

A survey had been carried out on the road before as Cllr Kelly previously had motions in regarding road safety concerns along the road particularly in relation to the new housing estates there such as Deanswood.

He noted that Laois County Council also made a commitment around 7 or 8 months ago to install a fence at the Deanswood housing estate to stop children playing in the green of the estate from going out onto the busy road. However, this has not yet been done.

The MD Office said they will include the location for assessment in accordance with the traffic calming policy, however there is currently no budget available to undertake works.

This is yet another motion which appears to be impacted by the rise in material costs for roadworks in Laois, with Cllr Kelly’s petition for a pedestrian crossing in Mountrath also rejected in this week’s meeting due to a lack of funding.

Laois County Council announced in May that less road works will be completed across the county this year due to the rise in material costs.

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A budget of €31 million was set out this year for the road network in Laois. However, Director of Services at Laois County Council, Simon Walton, notified councillors that due to a 10% to 15% rise in costs from tenders that the budget may not be able to cover all works.

“I know you had pricing done and all that but we have to protect residents on that road. Especially in the new housing estate and on the speed as well,” Cllr Kelly insisted.

“I see there is no budget available but I’m prepared to put some discretionary funding towards a speed ramp on that road because I’ve had it in before and so has Cllr Conor Bergin. We need this done as soon as possible. The new resurfacing makes it easier to travel faster on it.”

Cllr Bergin supported the motion as he also pointed out the increase in the number of houses on the road and the many children living in the estates.

He also agreed to commit discretionary funding to any safety works but urged that a traffic survey be carried out to identify what exactly needs to be done and what measures can be taken.