Two local County Councillors have joined forces to call for a Master Plan to be prepared in Abbeyleix
Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh and Fianna Fáil Cllr John Joe Fennelly were speaking at the monthly meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District this week.
The pair called on Laois County Council to prepare a master plan for servicing to include traffic management, water management, and waste management.
The area in question is for the zoned land banks for residential development, enterprise and employment between the Dublin Road and Ballyroan Road, Abbeyleix.
The Cllrs also asked to have all new applications for development on adjoining lands and potential of the remaining lands in the master plan.
In response, Mr Simon Walton, Director of Services said:
“The Housing, Planning and Roads Departments have met to discuss the future development of this land bank, with a view to developing a Masterplan which encompasses a number of uses – residential, community, commercial.
“Traffic management and servicing of the sites will be considered as the Masterplan is developed.”
Cllr Walsh welcomed the response, but did add that Abbeyleix has been “somewhat left behind in terms of housing.”
Cllr Fennelly also welcomed the Council’s response, but did reiterate Cllr Walsh’s point, saying there has has been minimal housing developments in Abbeyleix in recent years.
Earlier in the meeting, Cllr Walsh asked that the Council review the footpath leading from Junction 17 roundabout to Tougher roundabout.
The Fine Gael Cllr said there are “a number of trip hazards that need to be addressed and rectified urgently.”
Cllr Walsh also called on the Council to install maintenance free landscaping at the slope of the new footbridge at Glenbrook, Ballyroan.
Mr Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer said the footpath issues “have been referred to the Motorway maintenance contract operator for their attention.”
Mr Wilkinson also said he would meet Cllr Walsh to examine the proposed landscaping at Glenbrook, Ballyroan “with a view to carrying out works as appropriate.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Fennelly called for the County Council to re-surface the road outside the Shanahoe GAA Grounds, saying “there is constant surface water ponding at this location.”
Cllr Fennelly said Shanahoe is “a small club club that does great work in a rural area.”
The Fianna Fáil Cllr also asked that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) be contacted to “cut back all branches of trees overhanging the road on the N77 between Killamuck Cross and Moran’s Cross, Abbeyleix.”
Mr Wilkinson again responded to the motions, saying he will meet Cllr Fennelly at Shanahoe GAA Grounds “to examine the issue.”
The Senior Executive Engineer also confirmed that the Portlaoise Municipal District Office will contact the relevant landowners and TII regarding arrangements to have hedge cutting works carried out at the aforementioned location.
SEE ALSO – Local Councillor calls for review into ‘ongoing problems entering and exiting’ Portlaoise estate
