PHOTOS: ' A great job' progress on new footpath and cycle lane connecting Laois town

A new path connecting either end of a Laois town for residents is well under way.

Smith's Field in Mountmellick, lying behind the town's main streets, is getting a properly lit footpath and cycle lane across it, making an official shortcut from Kirwan Park to College Avenue.

The work is part of a major renovation of Smith's Field by Mountmellick United FC soccer club and Laois County Council.

The council describes the new path as a permeability scheme.

It was targeted by vandals just after it was begun last May, condemned by Mountmellick Tidy Towns. 

Streetlights are also being installed. 

The new footpath and cycle lane under construction. Photos: Leinster Express

Cllr Paddy Bracken, a local representative on Mountmellick Borris-in-Ossory Municipal District, praised the new path.

"Smiths Field is in progress. It's a great job. I welcome this piece of infrastructure to give connectivity back to the centre of town. Well done," he said.

He spoke at the June meeting of Laois County Council, where an update was provided.

"Works have commenced on the construction of phase 1 of a shared pedestrian / cycle path across Smith's Field, Mountmellick. The route will connect the residential area of Kirwan Park to the town centre and Mountmellick Community School."

Route highlighted in red below. 

Laois County Council bought almost 10 acres of the field in 2024 from Mountmellick Parish for €250,000, with 2 acres of it to be a site for up to 26 new houses. The council say it will also install a new playground and multi use games areas and a carpark. The town's playground was relocated from the field 13 years ago after repeated vandalism and dumping.

The parish agreed a long term lease to the soccer club for the other part of Smiths Field.

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Mountmellick United FC soccer club has planning permission and €350,000 funding to build a multi-use floodlit astroturf pitch, a lit circular walkway, and a new footbridge over the Owenass River connecting to their Conor Davis Park grounds. The club plans multiple fundraisers to pay for their share of the works.