Roadworks and safety measures needed for Laois community sport grounds
Some 100 families use Fr Breen Park in Abbeyleix
Laois County Council is to consider doing multiple road works at Fr Breen Park in Abbeyleix in 2025, to make it safer.
Nearly 100 families use the grounds, according to Cllr John Joe Fennelly, asking for works from the park entrance to Tullyroe Bridge in a motion to the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
“A huge amount of people are using the park, be it for tennis, soccer, hockey, GAA. A lot of people exit to the Ballacolla Road but there is another exit. If we widen it and add drainage it would help people. Also if it could be included in the smart walking plan as well,” he said.
Cllr Barry Walsh seconded.
“I play soccer on it and I see the issue. There is climate action funding that could help,” he suggests.
The council’s engineer Wes Wilkinson said they would try every avenue of funding “as we always do”.
The park is the subject of a Smart Development Plan by Abbeyleix Tidy Towns.
The L16568 will now be examined for consideration to get road resurfacing and drainage in the 2025 roads programme. It will also be included in the next round of applications for road safety improvement works.
Also at the same meeting, an Abbeyleix laneway is to be on by the council for future maintenance.
The 160m laneway is off Killamuck Road serving six houses and farmland.
It will be taken in charge by Laois County Council, following another motion by Cllr Fennelly at the same meeting.
The council agreed to examine the lane to start the process. Cllr Fennelly asked that they fill potholes in the meantime, supported by Cllr Barry Walsh.