Mountmellick bypass planned to run through Laois GAA pitch

The route of a much needed double bypass in Mountmellick, Laois runs straight through the town's GAA pitch.

While the bypass is not in national plans until at least 2030, potential routes are now having a direct effect on planning applications in the town. 

A mapped route for one of the roads has this month caused Laois County Council to reject a planning application.

A Mountmellick couple had applied to build their home next to their family's homes on family land, facing Mountmellick GAA grounds.

Applicants Rebecca Williams and Gary Bergin, have had their application refused.

The planners cite the reason as the bypass route, planned to run through their hilly field, beside Mountmellick cemetery. 

"The proposed development site lies within a Roads Objective for Mountmellick as indicated on Map 3.2 of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 and Map 2 of the Mountmellick Local Area Plan 2018-2024.

"Policy TM P6 of the Mountmellick Local Area Plan 2018-2024 seeks to ‘reserve all lands for future relief roads free of development in conjunction with the requirements of the Roads Authority’. The proposed development would, therefore, be materially contrary to the provisions of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the Mountmellick Local Area
Plan 2018-2024 and consequently to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

The map below, clearly shows that the future road - in blue and white - would cut right through Mountmellick GAA grounds across the home from the Williams' field.

While the bypass routes are only a future possibility and would require public consultation, the western route is drawn to start beside the Rock GAA grounds, cutting across Acragar to Derrycloney on the Portlaoise road.

There it would join with another bypass to lead to the Tullamore road, with two options drawn on the map. A third option runs closer to the town centre.

A plan to bypass the town some 20 years ago was shelved after local objections to its route through Irishtown.

In another indication that Mountmellick bypass plans are starting to have concrete effect, funding was rejected recently for tractor laybys on the Mountmellick Portlaoise Road, by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Giving their reasons, the TII said "it is noted that the next potential future intervention may be likely to come under the category of town bypass".

The much needed Mountmellick double bypass is not up for funding until at least 2031.

The N80 cuts through the heart of the town, bringing at least 10,000 vehicles a day, many of the HGVs turning on a notoriously tight corner.

The bypass is an objective by Laois County Council, who have an assessment complete showing the need for a double bypass.

However as it is not in the National Development Plan up to 2030, no funding will be allocated to plan or build it.

Last November while on an election visit to Mountmellick, the then Taoiseach Simon Harris gave a commitment to prioritise it.

"I do think road projects need to progress. If we are back in Government these sorts of projects will be a priority. If we got Willie Aird in the Dáil as well we’ll have someone to work for you,” he said.