TRANSPORT Infrastructure Ireland should be brought “kicking and screaming” before Ennis councillors to answer to ongoing traffic issues including the “serious accident waiting to happen” at the Shanaway Road and N85 junction and safety concerns at the Clareabbey Roundabout.
That’s according to Ennis’ Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mary Howard who at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District suggested a so-called ‘courtesy junction’ could help alleviate traffic at the Shanaway Road junction until a permanent solution is found.
She explained this would involve signage being placed ahead of the junction urging motorists to be courteous of those attempting to join the Lahinch Road from Shanaway.
“It is very hard on people living and working there, on those going to play golf or staying at the hotel. They find it very hard to access the Lahinch Road and this is a new idea that could be a good solution in the interim until there is a permanent solution.”
John Gannon, senior executive engineer, responded, “The Road Design Office (RDO) will and have been engaging with the TII in developing design solutions for the existing Shanaway Road Junction on the N85 as part of a larger active travel proposal for the N85 from Claureen Roundabout to Loughville. The RDO will co-operate fully with the TII to seek an interim measure that is compliant with TII requirements.”
Councillor Howard’s motion was seconded by Councillor Ann Norton who pointed to the large number of houses which have been built in the area which is also the location of a GAA club, golf club and hotel.
She said that when developments were proposed for the area “if there was going to be pressure on the junction it should have been catered for at the planning stage. This was something that was not looked at.”
She continued that large volumes of people going to work and school at the same time is resulting in “crazy traffic” in the mornings and afternoons.
Councillor Johnny Flynn described the ‘courtesy junction’ as a “good idea”. He suggested when it comes to a permanent solution that the council go ahead and introduce low cost measures like the ‘fried egg’ roundabout installed at the Corrovorrin Junction.
He said, “Waiting for TII and Active Travel doesn’t suit the residents, we should be pushing for a low cost proposal similar to Corrovorrin.”
Councillor Pat Daly also made reference to the Shanaway Road being the location of sporting amenities, a hotel and housing.
“It’s the same junction that is there before places were built. There are 1,000 houses there and the frustration must be terrible for the people living there. It’s absolutely ridiculous and I am calling on TII to move faster, we are waiting and waiting.”
The junction was described as “chaotic at the best of times” by Councillor Paul Murphy, who has regularly criticised TII while calling for the introduction of safety measures at the Clareabbey Roundabout. He said, “When TII are involved it prolongs matters, they really have to have the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed.”
Councillor Howard stated, “TII should be brought in here kicking and screaming, it’s very frustrating. It’s appalling that the Clareabbey Roundabout has not been made safer”.
She added the state agency need to “sit up and make the junction safer” at Shanaway while commending the patience of residents.