Green light to spend another €9 million enhancing Portlaoise urban centre

A spending plan for a second €9m investment to upgrade Portlaoise urban centre has been approved.

Laois County Council has just received the green light from the Department of Housing, on phase two of its revamp of footpaths, streetlights, signage and laneways in the town.

Phase one costing €9m saw an enhancement of the streets around the old Fort Protector walls, new crossings in Lyster Square, as well as new cycle routes, E-Car charging points and low energy public lighting.

Phase two under the same Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), includes an upgrade of Bull Lane, Pepper's Lane, Lyster Lane and Lyster Square, the Main Street, Market Square and James Fintan Lalor Avenue.

It is all aimed to make Portlaoise a more attractive, green and low carbon walkable centre.

The cash was approved in principle back in 2021, but the council had to write up a business case detailing how it would be spent. Extra information was requested by the URDF team and the council supplied it last February, with approval given this May.

Director of Services Simon Walton confirmed the approval, as he replied to a motion tabled by Cllr Thomasina Connell to the May meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

She asked him what the "big ticket items" will be.

"When will it be rolled out?" she queried.

"Main Street from the top square to lower square, the three laneways and Lyster Square carpark are the footprint for this public realm enhancement project," Mr Walton said.

He adds that Downtown Portlaoise traders group in consultation with Laois County Council had applied for funding for street decor overhead.

Cllr Connell asked would it be in the style of umbrellas as a canopy, and he replied that it will have more of a biodiversity focus.

There won't be any shovels in the ground for some time yet however, according to the Director.

"We now have approval for the work to proceed, but a lot of desk work has to be done before we commence on-site," Mr Walton said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley asked if some of the money could be spent fixing footpaths elsewhere in Portlaoise.

"We're always banging the drum on this. There are estates where paths have not been touched in 50 years," she claimed.

However Mr Walton said the funding is just for the designated town centre, agreeing that there is not enough money set aside by the Government for footpaths. 

Cllr Connell said traders had been asking her for an update on the €9m project.

"Lyster Square is more appealing now. Anything that makes people feel there is a renovation of the town is good for business," she said.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said it is a "great result for Portlaoise". 

"Tower Hill looks fantastic, thank you for putting in the work to get the funding," she said.

The old County Hotel must not be left as an eyesore, urged Cllr Willie Aird.

"Before you start spending it, complete the county hotel, it would be a pity if that eyesore was left," he said.