Tarmac on Portlaoise 'swamp' lane will 'attract unwanted attention'

A historic laneway leading to a public park in Laois is not going to be resurfaced fully because it may "attract unwanted attention".

The Downs Lane in Portlaoise is a short pedestrian laneway now leading to the People's Park.

It runs between a protected parkland recently bought by Laois County Council, and The Downs housing estate, on the Stradbally Road.

The council has big plans for their purchase of Tyrrell's land, including housing and an extention to the public park, but in the meantime, The Downs Lane will not see any tarmac.

It's condition is "constantly muddy" and even swampy, complained Cllr Thomasina Connell.

She tabled a motion to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District asking to have it resurfaced.

"This is a great access to the park as a walkway. It's constantly wet and muddy, even in a dry spell. People won't use it, if you walk on it your runners will be destroyed," she said.

The area engineer said that repairs will be done. 

However on questioning, the Director of Services Simon Walton said they are concerned at making the lane too attractive for use.

"We have concerns that if it is fully upgraded it might attract unwanted attention," he said.

He said that the Tyrrell's Land Masterplan will include a new connection route to the People's Park.

"It (the park) will open up and expand into Tyrrell's Land. Our primary aim is to do a connection through it," he said.

"That mightn't be delivered for upwards of three years. On some days it's a swamp," commented Cllr Connell. 

Mr Walton added that the masterplan will come before the councillors again to review it.

"There would be an opportunity to enhance the quality of the lane surface and we can do that," he said.

The Tyrrell's Land masterplan is one of several that the Government has decided to skip public consultation, to speed up housing delivery. Read more below. 

Major Laois housing developments to bypass public consultation

Cllr Willie Aird declared the Downs Lane to be "the most popular lane with a huge history".

"There were houses there," he said.