Less green, more parking wanted in Laois housing estate

A Laois housing estate is in line to have part of its green replaced with more parking spaces.

Motorists are resorting to parking on the lawn in the mature estate of Thornberry in Abbeyleix, a local councillor said.

Laois County Council is being asked to remove some of the lawn and create more spaces and widen the road.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly tabled a motion about it to the Portlaoise Municipal District's January meeting.

"Residents say they don't mind part of the green being taken, on the Ballinakill side of Thornberry. People have been parking on the grass. We need to make it wide enough so people can pass. Even oil lorries have problems," he said.

His motion asked the council to "improve the car parking spaces available".

"The road way is very narrow and it is not posible for larger vehicles to pass. This proposal has the support of residents who live in these houses," he said.

Area engineer Wes Wilkinson said he will meet Cllr Fennelly on site to examine the car parking with a view to developing proposals to resolve the issue.

Flooding on Laois byroad to Portlaoise Abbeyleix main road

Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of the district, seconded the motion.

"There is plenty of space, it's quite a big green. I am happy to meet you there as well," he said.