Portlaoise to become Ireland’s transport hub

Portlaoise could become Ireland’s leading transport hub, if ambitious plans brought forward by Loais County Council get the green light.

The plan, to make Portlaoise the focal point for road, rail and other transport related services, is being sponsored by the local county council and has the backing of national and international developers.

The plan is to turn a 250-acre green field site at the junction of the M7 and M8 motorways into a E250 million transport and logistics park, including a retail development, a hotel, a motorway services centre, as well as tourism and leisure facilities. The park would be linked to Portlaoise by a light rail system.

Laois County Council flagged the idea last year and it has spent much of the intervening period drumming up interest amongst investors and developers.
It is understood one local businessman is ready to heavily invest in the project, but the bulk of the investment is coming from international, mostly UK sources.

Full details of the project will be unveiled in the coming weeks, when county councillors will be asked to approve or reject the proposals. The land required has already been zoned by the council for this type of development.