Discontent at path through Laois rugby grounds to Portlaoise woodlands
A public path through a rugby grounds in Laois is not enough, a Portlaoise councillor says.
The path which was funded with grant money is a temporary solution says Cllr Willie Aird.
He wants Laois County Council to build a footpath along the road instead to lead to Togher Woods, a popular walking spot beside the M7 motorway.
He tabled a motion to the May meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District asking for an update on when the path will be built from Portlaoise Rugby Club to Togher Woods.
The reply he received was that pedestrian accesses have been made on either side of the rugby ground next to the woods, and a walkway constructed, with part of the cost funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Cllr Aird is not content with the works.
"I want the footpath continued past the rugby club on the outside, around the corner up into Togher Woods.
"We applied for grant aid of €25,000 to €30,000 for the provision of a walkway through the rugby club for the public. It is now in situ. It's a pedestrian way from Supermacs to the entrance of the rugby club, which brings you to a link road to Togher Woods.
"This walkway inside is for safety until such time as the path I called for is erected. You'll see the amount of people cycling there since we we opened the new road through the business park. An awful lot go every day to Togher Wood.
"I thank Coillte for being so open minded," he added.
Togher Woods has a looped public walkway of 3.4km.