Portlaoise plans approved despite traffic 'chaos and congestion' fears

Plans for three large shops, a substation and scores of new parking spaces in the heart of Portlaoise town have been approved despite concerns of traffic chaos.

Developer James Graham lodged an application with Laois County Council for the retail development on the Ridge Road in Portlaoise in May of 2024. 

The initial plan was for two large retail units with a separate enclosed service area and a drive through restaurant will require the demolition of two bungalows, garden walls and some existing stone walls within the curtilage of Portleix House, a protected structure.  

It also included the “partial demolition of the existing boundary wall to the Dublin Road to form a new pedestrian access/plaza to the development and erection of a new railing boundary treatment to the Dublin Road frontage, partial demolition of the existing boundary wall along Ridge Road and replaced with a new retaining boundary wall with railings along Ridge Road.” 

The developer planned to provide new road access off the Ridge Road and 85 car parking spaces, footpaths and lighting.  According to the initial plans, “the proposal facilitates an area required for the future construction of the Triogue Blueway Part B (Phase 2) by Laois County Council.” 

However, Laois County Council sought Further Information in relation to the proposed development in July of 2024 and requested that it not include a drive-through element. The Council also expressed concern about its proximity to protected structures. 

In response to the issues raised in Further Information, the developer submitted a revised plan which omitted the drive-through restaurant. 

The new plans sought “a retail building containing 3no. comparison retail units with associated storage areas and staff area along with a separate enclosed service area. A separate commercial building with a comparison retail unit at ground floor level and an office unit provided at first floor level.” 

The plans still required the demolition of two cottages and the construction of the new road access off the Ridge Road in Portlaoise. 

Pictured above: An illustration from the planning files

In their submission to the Council, local residents Colm Owens and April Fenlon said the developer has “grossly underestimated” the impact of traffic which the development would generate. They said the additional cars and delivery vehicles would have to use an “already inadequate road” and this would give rise to safety concerns. 

They said the development would be within 50metres of their home and would lead to concerns about road safety, noise and overshadowing. They also queried the need for additional office and retail space in Portlaoise. 

Pauline Coughlan who lives in Millview said “the traffic congestion on our road is quite bad and with a further new junction between our house and the convent gate will cause further chaos and congestion.” She said the cottages in Millview are the oldest group of houses in the town and she asked the Council to carry out a survey to assess the impact.  

In his submission another Millview resident, Shawn Mahoney, also expressed concerns about traffic. “Traffic in Millview is bumper to bumper during the morning and evening traffic peaks. An independent traffic survey should be required,” he stated. 

A report submitted by the developer as part of Further Information concluded that “the development will add to the existing congestion during peak hours.”

It states that “while it would be preferable for development to cause no increase in traffic flows, it is inevitable that a development such as that proposed will increase traffic flows. Given the development is in the historic town centre, it is also inevitable that these increases will add to the congestion that is typical in town centres throughout the country.”

The authors state that the negative traffic impact can be mitigated by factors such as “the development’s location offers opportunity for a modal shift to cycling and walking” and because it is close to a town link bus stops. The report concluded that the development would therefore be considered appropriate from a traffic perspective.  

Laois County Council has now approved the development subject to 19 conditions on September 30.