Quin crossing granted despite concerns

PLANNING permission has been granted to Clare County Council for a pedestrian crossing and footpath in Quin. However, while the efforts have been welcomed locally, a number of concerns have been raised seeking a different location for the works.

PLANNING permission has been granted to Clare County Council for a pedestrian crossing and footpath in Quin. However, while the efforts have been welcomed locally, a number of concerns have been raised seeking a different location for the works.
The Part 8 application was made by Clare County Council. At a local authority meeting earlier this month, it was recommended to the council by Gordon Daly, senior planner, that the development proceed in accordance with six stipulations.
It was approved at council level on the proposal of Councillor Sonny Scanlan and was seconded by Councillor Paul Murphy.
Submissions had been made by nine individuals in relation to the proposal, including Councillor Scanlan, who said the council failed to investigate or put forward a proposal regarding the provision of a pedestrian/cycleway bridge.
Councillor Scanlan also stated in his submission that the proposed development fails to have regard to the appearance and character of the existing bridge, which he said would “detract from the setting of the bridge and will be detrimental to the character of the adjoining abbey and surrounding area”.
Speaking after the development was adopted on his proposal at a local authority meeting, Councillor Scanlan said ultimately he had to “go with the people” in proposing the works. He added that while he would “love to see a footbridge” developed in Quin, it is still “very important to have safety” and that has to be addressed.
The Ennis East councillor stressed he remains “disappointed that the council didn’t look for an estimate for a footbridge” and he still wants a footbridge. He also called on the bollards currently on the bridge to be removed before this year’s Tidy Towns competition.
Among the submissions on file in relation to the development is that of Shaun Stevens of Manor View, Quin, who stated the proposal for “only a single pedestrian crossing fails to serve more than a minority of pedestrians”.
He stated there is a “clear need to provide an additional crossing point on the south-eastern side of the bridge for residents of The Park, The Cloisters and other houses…to cross to reach the church, school, community centre and shops”.
He maintained this would also provide safe access for all other residents of the village to access the Abbey Tavern and the credit union.
“I would suggest that the savings made from unwanted flashing beacons could be better spent on providing this second crossing point,” he concluded.
Anne Marlborough of Main Street, Quin said while the proposals to enhance the safety of the village are welcome, she felt the proposed pedestrian crossing “would be better situated at another location in the village”.
She added the crossing would have “a detrimental impact” on her enjoyment of her home and the needs of the community would be “better served” if the crossing was located in the vicinity of the church and credit union, “where there would be more need for a crossing point”.
The Quin Fianna Fáil Cumann also lodged a submission suggesting that the ideal location for the pedestrian crossing would be from the credit union office, where the highest volume of pedestrian traffic is.
Kay O’Shaughnessy of Mayville, Quin also raised concerns and asked for the council to review the crossing’s location. She suggested “the part of the street which has the highest volume of crossing is in front of the credit union and the road leading to the school”.
Meanwhile, Catherine Nihill stated a pedestrian crossing on the church side of the village would be of greater benefit to the children and mass goers.