Tag Archives: Clare roads

SEVERAL roads on the Wild Atlantic Way are “not fit for purpose” due to the increasing number of coach tours and vehicles using these routes, a local councillor has claimed. In light of the success of the Wild Atlantic Way and in particular the ever-increasing popularity of the route along the West Coast of Clare, improvement funding has been sought. Councillor Joe Garrihy has called on The West Clare MD to write to Fáilte Ireland, and the ministers for Tourism and Transport to seek appropriate ring-fenced and increased allocation of funding to upgrade, maintain and bring to appropriate standard the road surface, markings, lay-bys and roadside boundaries along this route. “The international marketing and resulting increased traffic along with ever increasing numbers of large coach tours on this route is bringing a usage and scale of wear and tear at a level, which requires ring-fenced funding over and above the standard roads allocation to ensure a quality product and experience …

CLARE County Council has been allocated a total of €34.917m for local and regional roads investment for 2022. About one third of the allocation, €11.8m will go towards progressing the Shannon crossing at Killaloe and Ballina. Slightly more, €12.18m will go towards restoration improvement/ Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, today announced details of a €597 million nationwide investment programme for 2022 for regional and local roads. Overall funding will increase by over 4% this year. The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened. Minister Ryan stated: “The main priority in 2022 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network. Last year I introduced a climate change adaptation grant for works on roads at risk due to the impact of climate change and severe weather events. “I am pleased to say that this funding will continue in 2022 with €15 million being allocated for …

A NEW funding stream for works on former national roads will be exploited by the local authority for an upgrade of the old N18, writes Jessica Quinn. A meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard calls by Councillor Pat Daly for an upgrade of the road from Kelly’s Corner out to Cois na hAbhaine on the Gort Road. Barry Conway, A/Senior Executive Engineer, responded, “In 2021 the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport introduced a new funding stream which allows local authorities to apply for funding to resurface the former national road network. “Funding has been sought by this office for the former national roads in the district including the R458 Gort Road (formerly the N18). “Members will be updated in the coming months as soon as the 2022 grants have been awarded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.” Councillor Daly welcomed the response, saying when the funding is available he would like to see some works done …

CLARE gardaí are urging motorists not to take risks on the roads this August Bank Holiday weekend, insisting, “it’s just not worth it”. The Garda Road Safety Campaign will run until Monday. Sergeant Joe Downey, Clare Crime Prevention Officer, said, “We are appealing to all road users to take extra care on the roads, as there will be an increase in the volume of traffic using our roads, especially this weekend. “Slow down, wear your seat belts, do not consume anything which may impair your driving, be well rested and, pedestrians and cyclists, wear appropriate high-visibility clothing when out and about.” He added that drivers should make sure that their vehicle is road worthy, especially in relation to tyres. “Worn tyres are a source of danger, especially if you have to brake hard,” he said. In relation to speed, he commented, “Remember, speed limits are a legal maximum and not a target to reach and may not be appropriate when …

CLARE County Council’s senior engineer, Tom Tiernan has admited that funding levels have “crashed downwards” in recent years, leading to local authorities having to “abandon tertiary roads”. Tom Tiernan commented that the entire road network needs to be in a good condition to facilitate the country’s economic recovery, saying current funding levels are not “sustainable”. He was speaking following the release last week of the National Oversight and Audit Commission Report, which found that Clare had the highest percentage of “severe structural defects” on tertiary roads in the country. However, Mr Tiernan stated that the figure presented in the report for Clare “isn’t necessarily representative” of the situation in the county. As outlined in The Clare Champion last week, the report looked at the standard of primary, secondary and tertiary roads. League tables were compiled, with criteria such as surface defects, structural distress and pavement defects all considered. According to the report, 22% of tertiary roads in Clare were found …

Additional funding of €1,056,700 has been allocated for the maintenance and strengthening of local road network in Clare. Twenty per cent of the funding can be used for Community Involvement Schemes (CIS) whereby an individual, or a group of people, with the consent of the road authority, can carry out maintenance and improvement works on local roads. This allows community participation, either in money or through the provision of road-machinery, excavators, road building material or labour in having lightly trafficked roads maintained to a good standard. Ten per cent can be invested in Local Improvement Schemes (LIS) – roads and laneways that have not been taken in charge by the council, the maintenance and improvement of which is a matter for the relevant landowner. In addition, approval can be sought from this extra allocation to fund urgent road safety projects which local authorities wish to progress this year. Deputy Pat Breen said the additional funding will ensure that Clare County …