Minister opens Portlaoise road

The Environment Minister Phil Hogan has officially opened the Portlaoise Southern Circular Route.

It is hoped the stretch will take a large volume of traffic out of the Laois town.

A number of schools will also be located along the network, easing morning rush hour congestion.

It is expected to also facilitate the orderly development of lands between the Stradbally and Timahoe Roads and could potentially become part of the N80 Bypass for Portlaoise.