The benefits of building by-passes are now well established. However, there is always an exception to the rule, and Abbeyleix, Co Laois, may be just that. Plans to by-pass the elegant town on the Dublin-Cork road are worrying locals who feel their town could be disadvantaged by the proposed development.
Fears centre on the fact that the proposed by-pass route, which is included in the county development plan, will cut the town off from the Abbeyleix Estate, so much a part to its character for generations.
This is a serious development as Abbeyleix is a designated heritage town, an honour which few Irish towns receive. Locals feel the proposed road route could cost them this designation.
Concern about the development is most deeply felt at Abbeyleix Heritage Centre, where it is felt the integrity of the local heritage company could be undermined. "It would cut the town away from the De Vesci estate, which is an integral part of Abbeyleix and could prove very destructive to the whole balance of this town," a spokesman said.
Ms Alison Dowling, who runs a restaurant in the main street, said the town's business people were divided between accepting the need for a by-pass and the possible disadvantages.
"I am a member of the local heritage group and I want to see the magnificent things which have been done here preserved, not destroyed. This is a very beautiful town, with tree-lined streets and a real sense of history, but we also have to accept that when Kildare is by-passed we will be next in the firing line."
The local TD, Mr Charlie Flanagan, described the town as "the jewel of Laois". He said it was very important that it kept its heritage status.
He explained that the by-pass plan had to be put into the county development plan because there had to be a strategy for growing traffic trends on the Dublin - Cork road. "While we all accept that there had to be plans for a bypass, we did not want the proposed plans put forward by Laois County Council because it would cut the town off from the estate."
He said there were also objections that it would damage existing and proposed housing areas and disrupt pedestrian walks. It would also impact on Monks' Bridge, the demesne, De Vesci Memorial Chapel and the site of the medieval Cistercian Abbey. There was also concern that the proposed route would destroy the entrance to Abbeyleix House and restrict development on the town's eastern side.
He said an amendment to the proposal was accepted at a recent meeting of Laois County Council which would ensure that there would be the closest consultation with locals.
"We have had to agree that there should be a provisional outline for a by-pass, but now we have to argue that it should go to the east of the town, rather than the west. This will obviously mean more expense and necessitate a new bridge to cross the Nore, but it will also mean that the integrity of the town will be preserved."
Mr Paddy Mulhall, of Morrissey's Bar, possibly one of the best known landmarks on the Cork-Dublin road, is not afraid of the town being by-passed.
"You cannot stop progress, and if a by-pass that is acceptable to local people is built, we might get the same benefits as Portlaoise, Naas and Newbridge. Anyhow, we could all be dead by the time it's built. It could be 10 years into the next decade."