Limited money available for Kilkee repairs

KILKEE town councillors have expressed disappointment at the lack of money available to upgrade the East End car park, the Post Office Lane and other necessary road works in the town.

Earlier this year, councillors were told that €40,000 would be made available to upgrade the East End car park but at Monday’s April meeting of Kilkee Town Council they were informed by town manager, Nora Kaye that this money is now not available.
“There is no money for any roads in Kilkee this year, apart from emergency pothole filling,” Councillor Paddy Collins said.
“I was informed that it wasn’t happening this year,” Councillor Collins added. He is adamant that not upgrading the East End car park will hinder the tourism sector in Kilkee.
Thousands of visitors converge upon the town, particularly from Limerick, during the height of the season in July and August.
“It’s going to be a disaster. The car park in the East End brings in revenue for Clare County Council but yet the parking markings are nearly all gone and it’s full of potholes. How can you ask people to come and pay for a car park that is in a dangerous condition?” Councillor Collins queried.
“Where is this money gone to? Who’s getting it? Kilkee appears to be completely cut off from funding for the next 12 months,” Councillor Collins stated. Along with other councillors, he said Kilkee is not benefiting from money that Clare County Council accrues from holiday home owners in the town. “We’re getting nothing back from it,” Councillor Collins claimed.
Four further motions that were on the meeting’s agenda are unlikely to result in any action in Kilkee due to lack of finance. These include upgrading signage in Kilkee, re-painting road markings, extending the footpath across from Collins’ caravan park and providing additional car parking spaces at George’s Head.
These concerns were raised by Councillor Claire Haugh and Councillor Elaine Haugh Hayes. However, all replies stated that the work would only be carried out if funding becomes available.
At the February meeting of Kilkee Town Council, members also expressed their unhappiness at the lack of progress in repairing roads, footpaths and public lights in the town.
Meanwhile, this week’s meeting also heard that Clare County Council will not remove seaweed from Kilkee strand for the coming season.
“If the seaweed starts getting hazardous, it will be pushed down to the low water mark and the tide will take it away, which it did last year. Under the majority of tidal conditions, it does get washed out to sea,” Councillor Collins explained.