Motoring

HOPES are high that a new car park for Scariff will go through the planning process before the end of the year.  Pressure has been growing on public representatives to progress the issue, as the business community, shoppers and other stakeholders continue to voice concern over the lack of local parking. The matter was raised once again at a meeting Killaloe Municipal District, when Councillor Joe Cooney sought an update. Members had previously been told that efforts to accelerate progress had been made, after the car park element was separated out of a bigger project which will also see the development of a multi-service centre and improvements to the town centre. At the September meeting, Councillor Cooney asked district officials where matters currently stand.  Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Morgan Lahiffe assured members that work is ongoing. “We have now engaged with all stakeholders, councillors, Scariff Community Council and Scariff Town Team,” he said. “The acquisition of land has been agreed. …

THIS MONDAY is day one of national road safety week with events and initiatives running until Sunday, October 10. With tyre safety day on Wednesday, we are highlighting the need for vigilance about this crucial aspect of road safety with the help of Pat Foudy and Daughter Tyres in Ennis. We shot two videos with Pat, the first of which gave some hair-raising examples of the kind of tyre wear that is all too common in cars driving on Clare roads. See video here In this next video, Pat shows a simple technique for checking your tyre safety at home. Pat Foudy is inviting all drivers to come in for a free no-obligation tyre test this national road safety week.

THIS Monday sees the beginning of Irish Road Safety Week (IRSW) with events and initiatives running until Sunday, October 9. One of the biggest and most under-acknowledged issues around road safety is the state of the tyres on your car, so in advance of tyre safety day on Wednesday, October 5, the Champion paid a visit to Pat Foudy and Daughter Tyres in Ennis. Pat showed us some eye-opening examples of the kinds of worn out, dangerous tyres people continue to drive around on, often blissfully unaware of the peril they are placing themselves and their passengers in. This issue gets even more serious in the winter months when the roads are wetter and driving conditions are generally worse on our roads. Pat noted that many people seem to take for granted that their tyres are in reasonable condition, especially those driving newer cars. Often they give only a cursory look at their tyres, and, seeing that the outside of …

THE creation of a new government office tasked with getting one million electric vehicles on Irish road by 2030 has been described by a local Dáil deputy as akin to providing for “pigs driving cars”. Deputy Michael McNamara opposed an amendment to the 2021 Road Traffic and Roads Bill concerning electric vehicles on the basis it is not grounded in reality. In fact, the Independent Deputy claimed this amendment is as useful as an amendment “providing for pigs driving cars or pigs flying and the absolute necessity to regulate that”. While Deputy McNamara admired the hopes and ambitions of Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and isn’t opposed to electric vehicles, he stressed at some stage policy has to be grounded in reality. “I do have a problem with forcing cars off the road. There are very few charging points in rural Ireland even now. A bigger problem, however, is that most people in the Dáil would drive perhaps 50,000 km annually. …

THE cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District has described himself as “baffled” as to the raft of regulations on the installation of traffic calming ramps.  Councillor Alan O’Callaghan made his remarks as he called for ramps to be put in place as a safety measure for those using the school and playground in Kilkishen. In response to his motion, he was told that the installation of ramps at the location would have to meet the requirements of the Road Traffic Act (1994) and involve a public consultation process.  The Fianna Fáil member thanked Senior Executive Engineer (SEE) Derek Troy the “huge work” already done at school in Kilkishen. “Speeding is still cropping up all the time,” Councillor O’Callaghan insisted. “I’m only here since 2014, but I feel that since then, only one speed ramp has been put in. I think there’s a feeling that we’re going to try everything bar a ramp. There are ramps in Newmarket, Sixmilebridge, Shannon, and …

SUBMISSIONS to An Bord Pleanála by property owners affected by the compulsory purchase order for an inner relief road in Ennistymon have revealed stress, fears for business viability and opinions that the project will not actually improve traffic flow. Clare County Council has pledged to complete the detailed design and tender documentation to secure a contractor for the project as soon as possible following planning approval from An Bord Pleanála. Senior Engineer with Clare County Council, Seán Lenihan, confirmed the council would also start the engagement process with affected land and property owners in terms of agreeing compensation packages and other associated arrangements required. A Part Eight development was granted by the council but was appealed to An Bord Pleanála. The development includes the pedestrianisation of the existing bridge, the inclusion of a roundabout at the western end of the proposed new bridge crossing on the L-1084 and the relocation of the existing public car park adjacent to New Road …

CLARE gardai are appealing for witnesses to a hit and run incident that occurred when a car mounted a footpath in Ennis. On Thursday, September 22, at 4.20pm the hit and run road traffic colission occurred at Claureen roundabout on the Lahinch Road. A car drove onto the footpath on the roundabout striking a pedestrian who was walking on the footpath. The lady fell over on impact and her right leg was then driven over by the back wheel of the vehicle. The driver left the scene immediately and drove out the Lahinch Road. The car is described as a light grey Sedan. Clare crime prevention officer Sergeant Triona Brooks said, “We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or to anyone who may have dash cam footage to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.”

Well, I was rudely awakened very early one Monday morning and after a flurry of activity, found myself in my new doggie seat in the back of the car. We seemed to have a bit of luggage with us so I was wondering where we were off to. It seemed a bit more than a weekend’s worth anyway. After a bit of a snooze, I woke up and herself left the car outside Kildare to meet a friend, while himself and I continued on to Dublin. We arrived at a big hotel and parked in the underground car park. Himself had a meeting and as the meeting rooms were underground he tried to sneak me in. Unfortunately, we were spotted and I hadn’t even settled myself in the room before the management came in and asked if I was a registered assistance dog. Now, I’m Ireland’s only roving reporter but unfortunately I don’t even have a press card, so I …