Blake’s Corner uncertainty halts pedestrian crossings

THE Blake’s Corner saga took a new twist recently when Clare County Council revealed it could not install a pedestrian crossing in the area because proposals for the future of the junction would involve a change to the road alignment.
Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery enquired at the recent North Clare area meeting whether or not the council plans to install pedestrian crossings in Ennistymon, while Fianna Fáil’s Richard Nagle called on the local authority to arrange to put in place pedestrian crossings at Church Street, Parliament Street, Main Street and at the bridge in the town.
However, a written response from Clare County Council revealed it is not possible to construct pedestrian crossings in the vicinity of Blake’s Corner until after the completion of work on the junction, which cannot begin until after a Part 8 planning application is filed.
“Clare County Council recognise the need for pedestrian crossings at Ennistymon and they form part of the plans for traffic management in the town. Four pedestrian crossings are included in the proposals for the provision of a roundabout at Blake’s Corner. There is a planning process to be completed and when this is completed, funding will be sought for the project. It is not possible to construct the pedestrian crossings in advance, as the road alignment will change when the roundabout is constructed,” explained Stephen Lahiffe, senior executive engineer of Ennistymon Area Office.
“There is also a proposal for a pedestrian crossing on Main Street at Conway’s. This will be included in next year’s proposals for funding under the National Roads Low Cost Safety Schemes. Funding for these schemes comes from the National Roads Authority. As the N67 is a national secondary route, the NRA will have to be consulted on the plans,” the response continued.
Councillor Nagle pointed out this further “highlights the need to get resolution to Blake’s Corner”.
“There is a need for four in all but the one at Conway’s shop in Ennistymon and the one at Blake’s Corner are the two most crucial for pedestrian safety in the town,” he stated.
Councillor Slattery acknowledged that the council’s “hands are tied a bit with Blake’s Corner”, before calling for a solution to be found.