Tag Archives: Ennis Municipal District

“WE don’t feel safe accessing our community”. That was the strong message of service users of the Brother’s of Charity’s Streetwise programme who made their voices heard at this month’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District calling for a safe route in and out of their base at the Clonroad Business Park. Members of the Streetwise programme were in the public gallery during the meeting where a video presentation they created was played for councillors and the executive. Introducing the video Councillor Ann Norton urged her fellow councillors to support the service users in their request for a safe route and a designated, fit for purpose accessible walkway. The video featured the voice of a service user who outlined their experiences of using the “unsafe route in and out of the Clonroad Business Park”. It detailed how “cars swing to avoid us” as they make their way to the pedestrian crossing on the Clonroad heading into Ennis where they regularly …

THE devastation that has been caused by ash dieback has been highlighted by a local councillor who is urging Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the council to replenish affected trees in Ennis and its environs. Councillor Ann Norton raised the issue at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where she outlined that trees have died from the disease along the motorway, Barefield and other areas of the locality. “I ask Ennis Municipal District to write to the TII to replenish the ash trees that have died from the ash dieback along the Motorway  and ask Ennis Municipal District to do the same in Barefield and other area around the Ennis municipal District and appropriately dispose of the dead ones,” she stated. Tommy Scott, Senior Executive Technician, responded, “Ash dieback is a disease that effects the Common Ash tree (Fraxinus Excelsior). It was first identified in Ireland in 2012. “The disease will cause most of the Ash trees in this …

THE ability of Clarecastle’s coastal flood barrage, built in the middle of the last century, to protect Ennis and its surroundings needs to be examined “urgently” a local councillor has insisted. Councillor Johnny Flynn has urged the local authority to prepare a report on the barrage in light of the current “climate crisis”, while renewing his call that the critical infrastructure be moved. Senior Engineer Sean Lenihan has acknowledged that the barrage is a “key piece of infrastructure” saying the benefits of Ennis’ flood defence schemes “absolutely depends on a fully functioning and optimally fit for purpose barrage.” The monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard that the council are in the process of commissioning engineers to prepare a brief for the appointment of experts to carry out a structural assessment of the barrage. Speaking at the meeting Councillor Flynn outlined he was “very concerned” about the historic barrage which was designed and build in the mid 20th century …

TRAFFIC tailbacks at a busy Ennis junction, particularly during morning school drop-offs, has prompted calls for the creation of a longer left filter lane. Councillor Mary Howard told a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, “There are often traffic tailbacks at the junction of Drumcliffe Road (Watery road) and the Gort Road. “Is it possible to create a longer left filter lane in the large green area to allow traffic to flow, especially for school traffic in the mornings?” She outlined that the route is often used by parents dropping their children to school in the mornings with “a build-up of traffic every day”. Ian Chaplin, Acting Senior Executive Engineer told the meeting, “At the junction there is a filter lane for left turning which facilitates a couple of cars. The junction will be monitored to assess the level of queuing at peak times. “A full topographical survey and design would be required to assess in greater detail and a …

LINKING Ennis’ traffic light system would be “less pedestrian friendly” a council engineer has explained in response to calls for the lights in the town to be synchronised. Councillor Mary Howard raised the issue at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where she said a number of people had suggested the idea as a way of improving traffic flow at busy times. She outlined that the return of students to school has led to a number of “pinch points” at drop-off and pick-up times with the majority of traffic moving in the same direction. Ian Chaplin, acting senior executive engineer responded, “Having consulted with our Traffic Lights providers, it is possible to link the traffic lights in the town but this is now considered old technology. “Linking would have been in operation historically when other traffic light solutions were not available. “For instance, Kilrush Road/Carmody street junction has a MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation) operated set of traffic lights, …

A DECISION to rename an Ennis laneway ‘Shepherd’s Lane’ following a ballot of local residents has been described as “positive news” by the Mayor of Ennis Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy, as well as being welcomed by other members of the Ennis Municipal District. As previously reported in The Clare Champion the residents of St Flannan’s Terrace had called for a proper name to be given to a back lane which had been known locally as ‘The Laneway’ and ‘The Car Road’. A residents’ association was formed earlier this year and a ballot of all 46 houses in the area was undertaken to determine a suitable name for the site. The results of the ballot saw Shepherd’s Lane come out as the favourite by the majority of the people who responded to the survey. Prior to 1912 the site on which the houses were built was known as the Shepherd’s Field. This month’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District was told …

ENNIS councillors have voiced concerns over plans for the largest ever private housing scheme in the county capital, with fears it could lead to “social problems”. Glenveagh Homes has lodged plans for a €65-million 289-home scheme at Ballymacaula direct to An Bord Pleanala under the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) scheme. However, at this week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District councillors highlighted a number of concerns about the plans, including that the density of the development is too high. The meeting was told that the council’s planning department is preparing a report for An Bord Pleanala on the proposal, and that councillors views were being sought. If given the green light the development will include 125 three-bed townhouses, 74 3/4-bed semi-detached homes, 66 two-bed townhouses, 12 two-bed duplex and 12 one-bed maisonettes. There are also plans for a 60 place creche and 488 car parking spaces. Speaking at the meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Pat Daly acknowledged that …

MOVES are underway by a “global leader” to create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Ennis with an employment boost of up to 100 jobs predicted. While the Council has not revealed the name of the company involved, it is understood that Vitalograph is behind the proposal. Liam Conneally, director of economic development with Clare County Council has described the plans as “exciting”. In order to bring the plans to fruition, the council are set to sell a building at the Ballymaley Business Park on the Gort Road for €1.2 million to the company. The sale of the property is to be brought before a full meeting of Clare County Council next week for approval. Ennis Municipal District councillors already voiced their support for the plans at their monthly meeting. The building at Block B in the Ballymaley Business Park had been acquired by the council in 2020 for the development of touchdown space for Foreign Direct Investment and the development …