ATKINS

Project: Portlaoise Integrated Land Use & Transportation Strategy

Client: Laois County Council

Atkins Role:

Atkins were appointed by Laois County Council to lead a team to carry out traffic transportation and land-use studies and necessary traffic and land use surveys to enable a comprehensive review of transportation and land use needs to be carried out for the town of Portlaoise.

The study involved the consideration of the long-term development strategy for Portlaoise and the development of strategic transportation measures, which need to be implemented over the Study period of 20 years.

The methodology included traffic surveying and data collection, land use planning reviews and analysis of existing and future development patterns, an extensive three stage public consultation process.

It has been designed to cater for a future population of 35,000 people by 2020 including 12,000 households in housing at higher densities supporting an additional employment base of 10,000 jobs.

The study including all surveys and public consultations was completed within a ten-month period. The plan has been adopted by Laois County Council as part of its Development Plan.

Elements of Preferred Strategy:

• Land Use Strategy
• Road Network Strategy
• Complimentary Transportation Strategy
• Institutional Arrangements

Land Use Strategy is designed to:

• Address the established needs of the present
• Provide for anticipated trends in population and economic activity to 2020
• Manage the resources of the area in a sustainable way
• Offer a sustainable future

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