Considerations are underway which will see Laois County Council make substantial changes to Lyster Square, Portlaoise, as part of major investment in the town.
Several local Councillors raised motions regarding upgrades and improvements to the town at the monthly meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District this week, with the main issues concerning the busy town square.
Fine Gael Councillor Barry Walsh began by asking that the Council consider extending the loading bay in Lyster Square by ten metres on the James Fintan Lalor side.
Cllr Walsh said he has been contacted by “several business owners in the area” who say that the lack of space in the square is “causing traffic chaos.”
Independent Councillor Tommy Mulligan also requested that the Council install a loading bay on the eastern side of Lyster Square.
Cllr Mulligan there are “28 shops and businesses with no loading bay” on that side of the square, saying issues with parking were making loading “more difficult.”
Fianna Fáil Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald added that the car parking spaces in Lyster Square are “very tight”, which she said is “making parking dangerous” and “making elderly drivers nervous.”
Mr Ken Morley, Acting Senior Engineer, said the provision of additional loading bay space in Lyster Square “will be examined as part of the overall upgrade to Lyster Square and Portlaoise Town Centre under the forthcoming URDF Urban Regeneration Project.”
Cllr Walsh went on to ask that the Council “provide clear signage to highlight the availabilty of 45 minute free parking in all relevant areas.”
Ms Brenda Earl, from the Council’s Roads Department, said: “Laois County Council have installed signage on both sides of each parking meter in the town centre, indicating the 45-minute free parking.
“The Roads Department will examine parking signage in the town centre with a view to further advertising the 45-minute free parking, where required.”
But Cllr Walsh was dissatisfied, saying the business community feel the signs “are not visible enough”, and more needs to be done to raise awareness of the free parking.
Mr Simon Walton, Director of Services, said “there is funding in place for significant enhancements to the Town Centre, including Main Street and Lyster Square, to compliment the work that has already been undertaken.
“An opportunity now presents itself from the URDF funding of €9 million together with match-funding of €3 million from the Council.”
Mr Walton said Laois County Council are “at the point of commencing that project” and that the first priority would be the appointment of a Senior Engineer and a Design Team.
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