WORKS on the regeneration of Ennis’ Parnell Street are to re-start, Clare County Council have confirmed. A statement issued by the local authority this Monday stated, “Further to discussions at departmental level, a review of critical transport infrastructure projects has been undertaken and it is now appropriate to re-commence the Parnell Street, Laneways and Bow-ways Public Enhancement Scheme.”
Ennis Chamber had urged that the works go-ahead while the country remains under Level 5 lockdown, with concerns raised last week by Ennis Chamber vice president Darragh McAllister about the effects delaying the project would have on local business.
Reacting to the announcement of the recommencement of the works, Ennis Chamber CEO Margaret O’Brien said, “Ennis Chamber is delighted that clarifications sought from Minister Darragh O’Brien and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, about re-starting public realm works in Ennis have been communicated to Clare County Council and that works will now re-commence.”
On Thursday it was confirmed that Minister O’Brien had agreed to intervene on the re-start of the Parnell Street/ Laneways and Bow-ways Project on behalf of Ennis Chamber following a virtual meeting.
The meeting was organised by Chambers Ireland, Ennis Chamber CEO, Ms O’Brien to request that the Laneways & Bow-ways Parnell Street/ Public Realm project re-start, thus minimising disruption to town centre businesses, particularly those located on Parnell Street.
Minister O’Brien made a commitment to contact Clare County Council to discuss work re-commencing this project. This follows weeks of constructive lobbying, behind the scenes by Ennis Chamber, led by Mr McAllister, himself a trader on Parnell Street and Ms O’Brien.