Portlaoise parking spaces taken to complete riverside cycling Triogue Way

Four parking spaces in a Laois County Council carpark will be replaced with a wide new path for pedestrians and cyclists as the last stretch of a healthy, low carbon active travel shortcut through Portlaoise town.

However a Portlaoise councillor has expressed disappointment at the loss of the spaces, and a historic stone wall, already demolished.

The multi million project funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) is the Triogue Way, ribboning from the Mountmellick Road to the People's Park and the southern relief road.

Cllr Dwane Stanley raised her concern at the September council meeting.

"Where the war memorial is, a lovely old wall is after being knocked out. The whole place is dug up. I'm told its for Active Travel. I'm also told we're losing four parking spaces. Can I get clarification? There was nothing wrong with that wall.

"While I'm in favour of active travel, we badly need footpaths. It beggars belief that you can get this money for active travel, I don't think there is a need for these wide footpaths in a carpark. I hope there is a legitimate reason for this old wall to be gutted out of it for a wide path in a carpark," she had asked.

Laois County Council told her however that the plan had been already approved.

Simon Walton is the Director of Services for roads.

"The work relates to the Triogue Way, this is the next phase. The first was in the People's Park, then we did work in the Linear Park, now the piece missing is through the war memorial carpark. There will be a new pedestrian crossing. There will be slight modifications for people to aid mobility and cycling, with the loss of three to four parking spaces. 

He said the plan includes €1 million on a public urban garden behind the convent housing project, with the pathway linking it to Bridge Street, across JFL Avenue and into the People's Park.

"It will likely begin in the first half of next year," Mr Walton said.

Cllr Stanley repeated her disappointment at the loss of the wall and parking spots.

"I get what you're trying to do but it's very hard to get any parking around that area. Can some of that money be put into housing estates in Portlaoise, there are trip hazards," she said.

Mr Walton replied that the project had been put through the full part 8 planning process.

Triogue Way route through Portlaoise.

"To achieve a standard it was necessary to remove parking. We have provided 90 spaces beside the train station, all used. We don't want to lose them but it does necessitate this. No the NTA will not facilitate (housing estate path repairs) that. They are looking for high profile active travel opportunities, like the Bolt electric bikes, the Triogue Way, the bus service," he said.

Cllr Dwane Stanley pointed out that "you can't go down the Mountmellick road on a bike".

Read also: More Laois lands to be rezoned for housing

Last year Phase 2 of the The Triogue Way, Portlaoise through Parklands got €750,000 in funding. Phase 3 will join from the Triogue way to the N80 Mountmellick road.

Phase 3 of the Triogue Way has begun, however Portlaoise Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley has expressed disappointment at the loss of spaces, and removal of a historic stone wall beside the river.