No footpath to a new public bus stop on busy Portlaoise road

Portlaoise people have taken to their new town bus service like ducks to water, but they will get muddy feet trying to avoid dangerous traffic at one bus stop because it has no footpath.

The public route in the fast growing Laois town was launched by the National Transport Authority last February 2025.

Laois County Council is to request a footpath to the stop on the Mountrath Road, among a snag list of teething issues.

Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Buggy tabled a motion to the May meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, asking for the path, on the Portlaoise side of the stop at the Bellingham housing estate.

"It's a lovely bus service, but there is a grass verge between Bellingham and the supermarket. A lot of people either walk on the road or the grass. After yesterday's rain it's very muddy, it makes the grass look bad too. It's a small measure to make the bus stop safe. People are pushing buggies there too," Cllr Buggy said.

Read all about the Portlaoise Town Service here.

Director of Services Simon Walton said they will be sending a list to the NTA.

"We are three or four months in and the figures of people boarding the buses are extremely encouraging. They are way in excess of similar services in other provincial towns. This notice of motion is appropriate. It is one of those unintended consequences. We will wait a few months and gather information then go to the NTA, asking them for proper pedestrian connectivity for what we feel are priority works. I am sure we will get a positive response.

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"I will have the data at the June meeting on figures using both the E bikes and the Portlaoise bus service," Mr Walton said.

Cllr Barry Walsh seconded the motion.