€500,000 to be spent on 'badly needed' roundabout on major Portlaoise road

It has been confirmed that the allocated Active Travel funding of €500,000 for the Dublin Road in Portlaoise will go towards a new roundabout.

It was announced earlier this week that Laois would receive a total of €3.5 million of Government funding for Active Travel and Greenways in 2026. This money is distributed among Laois and other county councils to develop walking and cycling projects around the country.

Within the breakdown of money allocated to various projects across the county, €500,000 was earmarked for the Dublin Road in Portlaoise. This was one the largest sums allocated in Laois.

Laois County Council has confirmed with Leinster Express / Laois Live that the funding provided by the scheme will go towards the delivery of a "badly needed" roundabout at the junction of Collier's Lane and the Dublin Road.

Commenting on the funding, the council said: "Laois County Council is committed to the provision of enhanced traffic management measures along the Dublin Road, Portlaoise. The Dublin Road is a substantial residential district in Portlaoise and new measures are required to provide for the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, mobility/visually-impaired road-users, motorists and the needs of public transport services.

"For 2026, the NTA have allocated €500,000 to support the delivery of a badly needed, upgraded Roundabout, at the junction of Collier’s Lane and Dublin Road. Once provided, the Roundabout will facilitate the introduction of additional traffic services in both directions along the Dublin Road.

"The Roundabout will also serve a significant, new commercial development along Dublin Road."

The new commercial development in question is Downey's service station forecourt and shop which is currently under construction. 

The development includes a two-storey petrol filing station and licenced forecourt convenience store with a retail shop, delicatessen, toilets, stores, ATM, and seating area with full off-licence. The first floor will have staff facilities with a canteen, office spaces, plant space and an external plant.

Also listed in the planning documents for the new service station is a carwash and 48 carparking spaces. The family owned business also lodged a planning application this month to add a Deposit Return facility.

As part of the conditions set out by Laois County Council in order to grant permission to the development, Downey's had to liaise with the Roads Department of Laois County Council regarding the delivery of a new roundabout at the junction to serve the facility.

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Laois County Council added: "The roundabout will facilitate the introduction of additional traffic services in both directions along the Dublin Road and will ensure safe access to any commercial developments/facilities based in the vicinity."

This road sees a high level of traffic on a daily basis. Apart from serving residential areas like Rathevan, Collier's Lane is one of two main roads which service two of the town's secondary schools, St Mary's CBS and Scoil Chríost Rí. Between both of these schools, there are almost 2,000 students and staff.

Collier's Lane also links up with the busy Borris Road, on which the two secondary schools are located.

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