Better roads needed for trans-shipment project

KILRUSH town councillors have stressed the importance of upgrading the road network in Kilrush to facilitate the proposed development of an intercontinental container trans-shipment hub port close to the ESB Moneypoint power station in Killimer.

It is envisaged that if the project goes ahead in Ballymacrinan Bay, 200 full-time jobs could be created and another 300 during the construction phase. The proposal would include two kilometres of jetty and sufficient room for 55,000 containers.

“Now is the time that we should try and make sure that the infrastructure is there for this project. There is an awful lot of potential in the estuary but this project won’t be achieved unless we do something first. I think the first step should be to provide a proper road network to facilitate any development,” Councillor Liam O’Looney told this week’s Town Council meeting.

“There are major boulders to be brought down to the site where 500 acres are to be reclaimed. I think now is the time that Clare County Council and the NRA should start forward planning what they want to achieve and where they want to go. They should sit down with this council while we’re in existence and let us prove our worth,” Councillor O’Looney added.

He said that lorries carrying huge boulders should not have to come off the N68 and drive through urban parts of Kilrush, including Wilson’s Road and Grace Street, in order to reach the proposed site.

“I want to send a clear message to the project developers that they have our sincere support. But it’s wrong to send traffic from a national route down through an urban area again. For far too long we act too late and all sorts of excuses are given when we look for improvement on our local network. We have a real chance to upgrade our roads, facilitate this project and prove how serious we are about endorsing this project to make sure it goes ahead,” the John Street publican stressed.

Councillor O’Looney attended a meeting, held last month, between a number of councillors and consultant engineers working on the project. “It was made very clear to us, when we were at the meeting, that the development of the road network was not their problem. One thing is certain; Clare County Council will receive substantial amounts of money into the future if this development goes ahead,” Councillor O’Looney predicted.

Councillor Marian McMahon-Jones told the meeting that as the town council is likely to be wound up in June 2014, councillors should work hard to progress the proposed development.  “We really need to get the boot in there and let it be known that we want a proper road infrastructure and make sure it’s done. When this council no longer exists, with all due respect to our county councillors, I don’t know that they will have the same drive and passion that we have to ensure that this project happens,” Councillor McMahon -Jones maintained.

“I predict if it goes ahead, it will transform West Clare and ensure the economic viability of West Clare for many years to come. It’s a very, very exciting proposal,” Councillor Tom Prendeville stated.

Councillor Liam Williams stressed the importance of the local authority working closely with the developers.

“There should be full engagement between Clare County Council and the project managers, each step of the way and make sure this project is realised,” the Fine Gael town councillor said.