Independent Cllr James Kelly has called for Laois County Council to “secure funding and appoint consultants to undertake a Town Centre First Masterplan for Mountrath in collaboration with the Mountrath Town Team.”
Ms Denise Rainey, Assistant Senior Executive Officer and Town Regeneration Officer said:
“The Department of Rural and Community Development have announced a range of measures to support towns in 2024 under the Town Centre First Initiative.
“Each Local Authority can nominate up to three towns to develop a Town Centre First Plan and the Department will allocate funding to one of these towns for 2024.
“The Council will soon examine the list of potential nominees to be submitted for such funding.”
Cllr Kelly raised the motion at the February meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District earlier this week.
“I want to acknowledge all the great work done by the staff here in Laois County Council in creating the Town Teams.
“It gets all the community together – and then we’re all going in the one direction, and everyone has the one goal in mind to improve and reinvigorate the towns that they’re in.
“Business is very important in the centre of these towns.”
Next, Cllr Kelly called on the County Council to secure the funding to provide a footpath to link Mountrath and Castletown.
“The Government has committed 10% of the total capital budget for travel towards pedestrian infrastructure,” Cllr Kelly said.
“Last year the National Transport Authority (NTA) announced €290 million in funding for sustainable transport projects in our towns and villages including major walkway improvements and Active Travel measures.”
Mr Diarmuid Donohoe, Senior Executive Engineer said: “NTA Active Travel funding is provided for schemes to be delivered in mainly urban environments where lower speed limits exit.
“The R445 between Mountrath and Castletown is a 100km/h road and is unlikely to receive NTA funding approval on the grounds of pedestrian safety.”
Cllr Kelly said he was disappointed with the Council’s response, saying Mountrath and Castletown “are getting closer to one another,” and that he will continue to raise the issue as a matter of public safety.
Fine Gael Cllr John King supported the motion, saying he hoped there could be “a good ending” to the matter.
Cllr Kelly concluded by calling on Laois County Council to carry out road remedial works, flood relief and traffic calming measures at Shanboe, Borris-in0Ossory “as a matter of urgency.”
Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin supported the motion, recommending the Council engage with with the Residents Association before making any final decisions.
Mr James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer at the Roads Department said:
“Staff will meet with Cllr Kelly to investigate the remedial measures required on the road surface and drainage. Laois County Council will install additional speed signs and road markings along this road as appropriate.”
