Complete makeover of Laois town moves to the next stage
The long-awaited makeover of a Laois town has progressed to the next stages as the tender has been published for a design team.
Laois County Council are seeking a multidisciplinary design team to deliver a “high quality visionary” upgrade of Mountrath ’s town centre.
The project has long been in the works, with funding being sought in the past number of years from the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.
In June of last year, Laois County Council ’s Regeneration Section and Mountrath Town Team held an information meeting for locals about the enhancements and to gather input to help refine the plans.
Finally the project has progressed to the tender stage. The design team will be expected to develop a Part 8 design proposal for the town.
The 48-month contract has an estimated value of €300,000.
The project aims to create an enhanced environment for people living, working and visiting the town through housing and public realm improvements with the overall hopes of encouraging and stimulating economic growth.
The Mountrath Public Realm Improvement Scheme aims to transform and regenerate the town as well as encourage the redevelopment of derelict and vacant sites for commercial, social, tourism or residential use.
According to the tender documents published by Laois County Council, the scheme aims to “reorient the town from private vehicle domination and towards pedestrian priority and active travel connectivity.”
Included in its aims is the reallocation of road space where possible to increase walking, cycling and public transport as well as upgrading public realm and green space. There are also plans for creating a multifunctional civic space with covered seating.
Simplifying signage, reducing clutter, integrating public lighting, and supporting biodiversity is also listed in its aims.
Three zones are included in the project. The town centre is the first area. This encompasses Main Street to Church Street from the junction of St Peter’s Anglican Church. Market Square, Bridge Street, the Link Road from Bridge Street to Shannon Street, and Shannon Street from the Link Road junction to Market Square are all also included in this zone.
Coote Street and Patrick Street is the second zone, stretching from Mountrath Community School to the bridge on Bridge Street.
Then there is the Portlaoise Road from the junction at St Peter’s Anglican Church to the Cluinn Inn housing development.
Laois County Council has identified lands in the town centre which will be considered for future development. As part of the brief, the appointed design team will undertake an assessment and feasibility and design study of possible route options for accessing these lands.
An assessment of accessibility to riverside lands which are located south of Bridge Street and adjacent to St. Fintan’s Church is also required as part of the brief.
The council also plans to redesign the existing junction of Church Street, Bridge Street and Shannon Street as well remove the existing roundabout.
The intersection of Main Street, Bridge Street and Market Square will be reviewed and amended to provide an improved public realm and movement of vehicles.
The junction at Portlaoise Road and Church Street will also be redesigned to improve connectivity to the town centre and the Quakers Graveyard and River Walks.
Upgrading roads, kerbs and footpaths are also part of the plans as well as new public lighting and street furniture.
Cycle lanes are also hoped to be introduced near Mountrath Community School.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme