Safety concerns raised about both sides of new Ennis riverwalk

FEARS emergency services may have access difficulties due to cars parking in an “ad-hoc” nature at the Clareabbey end of the new River Fergus Walk and Cycleway has sparked calls for a review of the parking situation at the popular amenity.

The risk of danger to children who have been seen “running straight onto the road” at the Quin Road side of the walk has also been highlighted.

Councillor Paul Murphy, at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, called for a review of parking at Clareabbey saying, “This amenity is being used by huge volumes of people which is fantastic, but emergency services may have problems getting in if something isn’t done to sort out the ad-hoc nature of parking that currently exists.”

Responding to the motion, Eamon O’Dea, Senior Executive Engineer, stated, “The Ennis Municipal District will examine the land ownership between the N85 and the Clareabbey access road on the Clareabbey Roundabout side of the railway line to confirm if there is a suitable location for the provision of parking facilities for persons using the Fergus Riverwalk. Once this is established a funding mechanism needs to be considered for any proposal.”

Councillor Murphy suggested that signage making people aware that emergency services need access to the river may alleviate the problem without the need for a lot of funding.

The motion was supported by Councillor Johnny Flynn who raised a safety issue for children on the other end of the walkway.

He suggested that a barrier is needed at the Quin Road to prevent children running out onto the roadway. While praising the new amenity Councillor Mary Howard said she has received calls about cars being “abandoned almost” by some people using the facility.

Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy stated that reports of children running onto the road are “very concerning”. She cautioned a balance must be struck so that any safety measures put in place do not deter cyclists and walkers from using the walkway.

Mr O’Dea stated the council would go back to the designer to see what can be done at the Quin Road end. Leonore O’Neill, senior executive officer, added the council must be mindful of not putting place barriers to cyclists, saying a ‘kissing gate’ would be inefficient.

“We have to look at options that balance the needs of cyclists and walkers,” she said.

The river walk was officially opened in April and runs from the R469 Quin Road in Ennis to the N85 Roundabout at Clareabbey.

The paved walkway along the river is approximately 1.5km and provides a link between the two roads, resulting in a looped walk of 5.5km.