Pleas to get Summerhill works going

SUMMERHILL locals are “beginning to lose their patience” with traffic detours introduced as part of Ennis’ temporary Covid-19 mobility plan.
Calls have now been made for planned road improvements at Summerhill to be expedited due to the “inconvenience” residents have endured.
A meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard the job is part of this year’s road works programme, and is dependent on completion dates of improvements to a section of the Parnell Street Public Realm and the Temporary Covid-19 Ennis Town Centre Mobility Management Plan.
Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Paul Murphy raised the issue welcoming the inclusion of Summerhill in the roadworks programme and urging that they take place “in as timely a manner as possible”.
Seconding the motion, Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy stated, “We are all in agreement that these works should be prioritised. These people have been very patient.”
Summerhill residents have “put up enough with traffic going up and down,” said Councillor Pat Daly: “I realise the work on Parnell Street will be done at the end of the year. The sooner one-way traffic comes back to Summerhill the better for the residents.”
Councillor Johnny Flynn pointed out that the councillors had voted for and adopted the 2021 roadworks programme to include Summerhill.
He acknowledged the work of Council officials Eamon O’Dea, senior executive engineer, and Leonore O’Neill, senior executive officer on the Parnell Street project, which had been on hold earlier this year.
“The delays are impacting us on getting to sort out drainage and bad road surfacing in Summerhill, by getting the project back on at Parnell Street hopefully this will be dealt with. The residents are very patient, but they are beginning to lose their patience with it.”
Responding to the motion, Mr O’Dea, stated, “The works are in this year’s roads works programme.
The commencement date is dependent on completion dates on elements of the Parnell Street Public Realm Works and on the Temporary Covid-19 Ennis Town Centre Mobility Management Plan, which was formulated in response to Government guidance on social distancing.
“It is the intention of the Ennis MD that this work will proceed this year as soon as the traffic movements permit works to be undertaken.”
Ms O’Neill clarified it was the section from Caby’s Lane to the Woodquay area in Parnell Street that was key. She explained this is necessary due to the importance of opening up traffic.
“The Parnell Street Project is due to be completed towards the end of the year and Woodquay to Caby’s Lane is due to be completed this summer.
“The mobility plan is also impacting and we would anticipate that we will get into Summerhill later on this year.”