Council survey to focus on speeding motorists

A SURVEY of speeding cars on the Tulla Road is set to be carried out with the results to be forwarded to the gardaí.

Ennis Town Council are to install four digital speed limit signs between the Tulla Road Railway Bridge and the Roslevan Roundabout, the local authority have confirmed.
Funding for the signs has been provided under the road works programme 2011 at a cost of €12,500.
Eamon O’Dea, town engineer told a recent meeting of Ennis Town Council, “It is proposed to carry out traffic speed surveys on the Tulla Road and install digital speed signs at four locations on a trial basis and examine whether the digital signs have reduced traffic speeds in the area.”
He went on, “The council has provided, in the road works programme, for four digital speed limit signs between the Tulla Road Railway Bridge and the Roslevan Roundabout. The speed surveys that will be carried out during this trial period will be forwarded to the Garda Traffic Corps.”
At a recent meeting of local councillors, Councillor Johnny Flynn called for the provision of a crash/pedestrian barrier for the footpath under the Corrovorrin Railway Bridge on the Tulla Road. He proposed the motion saying it was “in the interests of public safety due to both the increased volume and speed of traffic at that point and that the vulnerability of pedestrians using that particular footpath”.
Mr O’Dea informed the councillor that he had examined the location along with the road design section engineer at peak evening time traffic and school closing time.
“I have forwarded a request of a review of the Tulla Road from the Ennis Bypass to the Lifford Road Roundabout and given this the highest priority for work form Ennis Town to the road design section.
“I have also asked the road design section to examine the possibility of installing a pedestrian barrier or other measures under the north side of the railway bridge and it will be difficult to install a barrier without compromising the width of the footpath or road at this location,” he said.
He also informed the councillor of plans for the speed survey which was welcomed.
The meeting also outlined plans for this year’s roadworks programme. according to the roadworks programme for 2011, Ennis Town Council provides €250,000 from its own resources towards the maintenance of roads in the town.
While the non-national roads grant from the Department of Transport is €410,000.
A number of projects listed on last year’s programme are set to be completed this year including road surfacing at Parnell Street, from Cabey’s Lane to Woodquay; pedestrian crossings at Clonroadmore from Station Road to Quin Road, Sandfield Road and Mill Road; and speed ramps/pedestrian crossings on Circular Road after Ennis Golf Club.
A number of road-surfacing projects are planned throughout Ennis for 2011 with a total of €199,000 allocated. These works include €40,000 for resurfacing at Lower Market Street Car Park and €20,000 on Parnell Street, Mill Road/Woodquay.
A total of €110,000 has been allocated for footpath upgrading and construction works, which includes €70,000 for general footpath repair in the town centre. Under the programme, it is proposed to upgrade Barrett’s Lane and Brody’s Lane of Parnell Street, with €30,000 allocated for this work. Drainage works have also been proposed for Woodhaven on the Shanaway Road.
The council have proposed to construct a number of pedestrian crossings at a cost of €55,000. These will be at Frances Street (Tesco/Aldi), Carmody Street at Drumbiggle Road, Circular Road at Old Mill Road and adjustments to Kelly’s Korner’s pedestrian crossing.
The cost of upgrading line marking in the town has been estimated at €16,000.