Road works considered for ‘gateway to Doonbeg’

A NUMBER of roads in West Clare are to be considered for inclusion in the schedule of works for this year, following representations to the local district committee.

At their most recent meeting, councillors heard an appeal for action on a route described as “the gateway to Doonbeg”. Councillor Gabriel Keating asked that issues with a section of the R484 from Knockalough Crossroads to Kilmihil be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“That particular roadway from Knockalough to Doonbeg was on the three-year programme that ends this year,” he said. “It’s in a bad state, there’s no doubt about that. Everybody’s asking me. There’s one really bad bend on the road at Michael Ryan’s and all it needs is something that drivers can see as they approach the bend. Mr Ryan has lost two or three piers and had to replace them himself. This road is the gateway to Doonbeg and to facilities like the golf club and it’s a fairly small job.”

The Fine Gael member also highlighted concerns about flooding along the road at Kilcrona burial ground on the L2006 in Carrigaholt. “The parish, with the help of Clare County Council, put on an extension to the burial ground, and put a small bit of carparking in,” he noted. “The majority of the cars park on the roadside, and there’s nothing as bad as to get out and walk into a pool of water, or a pothole. I’ll be insisting that we do this on the next programme. It’s only a small area, but it badly needs to be done. I also want to raise the N68 from Knockalough to Knockerra which is badly in need of resurfacing. I noted that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) got an 18% increase in funding, so I think we should be pushing for more for Clare.”

Both motions were seconded by Councillor Lynch. A written reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer (SEE) noted that the Schedule of Municipal District Works (or Roadworks Programme) has not been finalised for 2021. Mr Kennelly said that both the R484 and the L2006 will be considered for inclusion on the completed schedule.

Meanwhile, Councillor Bill Chambers proposed that the L2048 from Cree Village to Cahermurphy be included in the works scheme for this year; as well as a stretch of road from the L6162 to the junction with N67 to Brisla.

In a written reply, Mr Kennelly said both areas will be considered for inclusion on the completed roadworks schedule.