Laois County Council are being urged to undertake a review of the parking situation at “a vital area for trade and business in Portlaoise.”
It follows on from a motion tabled by Fianna Fáil Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald at the May meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District.
The local Councillor asked that the Council “review the amount of spaces in Jessops Court and clearly identify the current situation.”
Cllr Fitzgerald described the location as “a vital area for trade and business in Portlaoise,” saying that more car parking spaces were needed.
While Cllr Fitzgerald acknowledged that the County Council has installed “four spaces for the public,” she said that “an awful lot of people have gotten (parking) tickets because of confusion.”
The Fianna Fáil Councillor said that anyone applying for a parking permit in the area “should be treated the same as people that have to get a permit for Main Street.”
Fine Gael Councillor Barry Walsh added his support for the motion, saying the location “has the potential to be a really nice area” and that the Council should be “doing more” to promote it.
Mr Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer, said the Portlaoise MD Office “will install road markings to indicate spaces that are for ‘Residents Only Parking’ at Jessops Court.”
Cllr Fitzgerald then asked that the Council give an update on the derelict site adjacent to the Beechfield estate and the “dangerous” entrance/exit to the estate.
Cllr Fitzgerald said a “big stone wall” at the junction “affects driver views” when leaving the estate, saying drivers “can’t hardly see at all” and “have to come right out onto the road.”
Mr Wilkinson said “Active Travel and the Portlaoise MD Office have met with residents on site previously.
“Works at the entrance at Beechfield were carried out to current guidance and best practice,” but added that he would meet with Cllr Fitzgerald and residents on site “to discuss the matter further.”
Cllr Fitzgerald said it was “an accident waiting to happen” before turning her attention to the aforementioned derelict site at the location.
The Portlaoise Councillor said the site had been given planning approval for a housing development, but after years of inactivity that planning permission has now expired.
“It’s just not good enough,” Cllr Fitzgerald said, siting the ongoing “housing crisis” in Laois and across the country as a whole, saying “what has happened is wrong, it’s totally wrong. It’s a disgrace.”
Mr Simon Walton, Director of Services, said the matter was being addressed under the Derelict Sites Act and that an update would be provided at the MD’s next monthly meeting.
Cllr Fitzgerald concluded by calling for an update on the availability of water and electricity infrastructure for future development in Portlaoise, saying that Councillors should have access to this information when making decisions on zoning land.
Cllr Barry Walsh concurred, adding that the issue should be resolved and the information made available “as soon as possible.”
SEE ALSO – Motion tabled for Laois County Council to take in charge another Portlaoise housing estate
