Money needed to finish only 'half done' Laois Square

placeholder image — Work on historic square in 2022.

No ready funding source for Mountmellick which Laois councillor says is 'half done'

The rejuvenation of Mountmellick's O'Connell Square must finish according to a county councillor who was told that the project would restart when money can be found.

The case for completion was argued by Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, at the first full Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting since the local elections.

Cllr Bracken tabled a motion calling on Laois County Council to complete Phase 2 of the refurbishment which began in 2022 based on a plan commissioned by the council in 2021.

"That job needs to be completed. Half of it was done two years ago and it was a great job but it is still unfinished...I want the job done because it is lingering on," he said.

Phase 1 involved the partial replacement of paving on some parking spaces. The work was done in 2022 when extensive works on the N80 forced the closure of town for through traffic.

Donal Brennan, Director of Services, replied in writing.

"The Council will explore potential avenues for grant funding for further works in this location," he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Cllr Paddy Bracken raised the issue with officials.

County Hall tendered for an architect-led construction design team to develop an enhancement scheme for the historic centre of Mountmellick in 2021. Central to the council's contract is the prioritisation of people over cars.

The council said the overall vision included increasing the attractiveness of the area to encourage investment.

The re-designed O’Connell Square would include paving, seating, information signage, pathways, undergrounding of overhead cables and planting of hedges and climbing plants on O’Connell Square.

The council wanted the plan to include a waiting area for public transport within or adjacent to the square. The reorganisation of O’Connell Square included traffic management and a shared surface with pedestrian priority and eliminate "unnecessary traffic and car parking in the Square".

County Hall also requested reconfiguration proposals for road junctions between the N80 and O’Connell Square to include widening of the existing footpath and the upgrade of designated car parking spaces.

The local authority also wanted the setting of the Christmas Tree structure reconfigured so that the area could be used for public events with a system for safe exclusion of cars. The tree has since been removed.