Motoring

THE popularity of Ballyalla Lake has resulted in the beauty spot on the outskirts of Ennis being added to the TFI Local Link bus route. TFI Local Link Limerick Clare has changed the C13 bus timetable to stop at Ballyalla Lake. “Providing access to this beauty spot which is 3.4km from the centre of Ennis, is in recognition of the increase in visitors to Ballyalla Lake and the fact that there was no public transport serving the attraction,” Cillian Griffey, Transport Operations Coordinator Clare with TFI Local Link. “TFI Local Link want to make this prized amenity accessible for all especially those that don’t drive and those with mobility issues. All our buses are fully wheelchair accessible and our buses cater for all.” The C13 service which runs every Saturday commences at Friar’s Walk bus stop next to Clare Museum at 11.15am. Stops along the way include The Auburn Lodge Hotel which also can be used for shopping in Lidl, …

The bridge linking counties Clare and Tipperary at Killaloe/Ballina was closed following a road traffic collision this afternoon. Emergency services from both counties are dealing with the incident on the Shannon crossing which is understood to have occurred at around 3.30pm. Three cars, all travelling in the same direction, are thought to be involved in the collision. Units of the fire service from Killaloe in Clare and Newport, Fire Service in Co Tipperary responding to the crash along with Gardaí. No serious injuries have been reported however National Ambulance Service resources have been sent to the scene to assess those involved. Two people have been taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be serious. In the meantime, the bridge has reopened to traffic.

GARDAÍ in Clare believe that thieves may have used a trailer to steal a BMW which had four flat tyres. Between 7pm on Saturday March 19 and 10am on Sunday morning last a black 523 saloon BMW registration number 99 CE 5663 was stolen from a farm yard in Cregard, Barefield. “This vehicle had four flat tyres and the owner believes that the car was not capable of being driven so it may have been taken away on a trailer,” says Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks. She urged anybody who may have seen anything to contact their local garda station.

AN ENNIS dealership has been named as the Clare winner of a new motor industry award for the promotion of electric vehicles. Western Garages on the Quin Road in the county town is the Banner nominee for the inaugural EV Dealership Awards. The dealership is now on the shortlist for a national award initiated by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to recognise and reward excellence in the promotion and sales of electric vehicles (EV) in Ireland. Car dealerships are a vital part of the transition to clean and efficient transport. SEAI wants to recognise and award those dealerships who are working to increase consumers’ understanding and experience of EVs and their uptake on Irish roads. Commenting on the announcement Declan Meally, Director of Business, Public Sector and Transport at SEAI said, “SEAI recognises that EV car dealerships and their staff are a key set of enablers to EV uptake. I congratulate this year’s winners whose commitment and dedication are …

CLARE’S most senior garda has expressed concern about a “significant” increase in the number of people caught driving while intoxicated, writes Fiona McGarry. Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran highlighted a 27% increase in Driving Under the Influence (CUI) incidents between last November and January, when compared to the same period in 2020/21. Addressing the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting last week, the chief was critical of drivers who are willing to take risks with their lives and those of others. In terms of the numbers of people detected driving while intoxicated, Chief Superintendent Colleran said: “It’s up to 38 for this three-month period, as opposed to 30 for the previous three months. “As much as we talk about driver behaviour, and messages getting through, it points to the fact there are still people out there that take risks, and they take risks with other people’s lives because of the offences they commit.” In respect of road traffic collisions, he said this …

THE Department of Education is advising that schools in county Clare stay closed on Friday February 18 due to the Status Red wind warning. The department stated that remote teaching and learning should commence where possible, in line with schools’ remote teaching and learning plans. It also advised schools to keep up to date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area. Also, due to the weather warning all Bus Éireann services in County Clare will be suspended on Friday morning, February 18, between 1am until 10am. This suspension will also apply to all routes operating into or out of the status red warning area. Due to the extreme nature of Storm Eunice and the threat of multi-hazard weather events as confirmed by Met Éireann, the Department of Education is advising that schools in counties where Status Red wind warnings are …

THE medieval town of Ennis is known for its narrow streets and labyrinth of historic laneways and bow-ways. It’s also famous for being a tricky town to navigate, where motorists are challenged when it comes to finding available parking, especially visitors unfamiliar with the town layout. However, parking is about to become a whole lot simpler in Ennis with the deployment of a new Smart Parking initiative by Cisco and Dublin-based software development company Danalto. The proposed solution will see Cisco’s software partner Danalto deploy Bosch parking sensors, Cisco ISR routers, Cisco LoRaWAN gateways, and Cisco Cameras throughout parking areas in Ennis town centre, including surface car parks controlled by Clare County Council private car parks, and some on street parking bays. The use of parking cameras and sensors in conjunction with a cloud analytics platform to analyse parking space availability, will allow the public to access real-time information on parking availability. The project will also facilitate the introduction of dynamic …

CLARE County Council has been allocated a total of €34.917m for local and regional roads investment for 2022. About one third of the allocation, €11.8m will go towards progressing the Shannon crossing at Killaloe and Ballina. Slightly more, €12.18m will go towards restoration improvement/ Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, today announced details of a €597 million nationwide investment programme for 2022 for regional and local roads. Overall funding will increase by over 4% this year. The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened. Minister Ryan stated: “The main priority in 2022 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network. Last year I introduced a climate change adaptation grant for works on roads at risk due to the impact of climate change and severe weather events. “I am pleased to say that this funding will continue in 2022 with €15 million being allocated for …