Tag Archives: roads

RESIDENTS of one of Ennis’ most historic housing estates have been left “hugely disappointed” with resurfacing works carried out by the council last year in what has been described as a “cheap job”. Calls have been made for an inspection of the works at Hermitage to be carried out and for remediation works to be scheduled “urgently” as the estate prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. The concerns of residents were highlighted at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District by Councillor Mary Howard (FG) who said, “The residents are not happy with the resurfacing works completed in parts of the area last year. They believe it to be uneven, thin and flimsy and they have noticed ponding and pooling of water throughout the area.” Concrete roads in Hermitage were covered with a Ralumac surface last year after local concerns were raised over the deterioration of the road surface. Paddy Tiernan, A/Senior Executive Engineer, outlined to the meeting …

DANGEROUS dips on a stretch of road in North East Clare have been highlighted by a local councillor who lives close by.  The condition of a stretch of road between Killanena and Dromindoora was criticised by Councillor Pat Hayes who called on officials of the Killaloe Municipal District to included on the works schedule for 2023.  “There is dipping in the road,” Councillor Hayes told the most recent district meeting. “A small section was done a few years ago, but it now needs an overlay to make it safe. It is a very well-trafficked route. A big amount of Galway-bound traffic uses it. The road, in general, is quite good, but a section has dipped and it’s quite dangerous. That needs to be addressed.” The motion was seconded by Councillor Tony O’Brien and supported by Cathaoirleach, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan. “There is definitely a need for black top on the R461,” Councillor O’Callaghan said. “Those tar-and-chip jobs on many roads are …

A NUMBER of councillors in West and North Clare have raised concerns about the impact of tourist vehicles using smaller roads and boreens in the district. The Green Party’s Liam Grant was first to raise the matter at a meeting of councillors, in a motion stating, “A number of bus operators are using unsuitable roads to travel to tourist attractions in North Clare. I call on Clare County Council to write to the National Transport Authority and request stricter enforcement of the allocated routes. “I would also request that the Cliffs of Moher consider not allowing bus operators, who do not take the allocated routes, park at the visitor centre.” The finger was also pointed, however, at GPS navigation systems, which routinely point drivers towards the quickest, most direct routes, regardless of the state of the road. Later in the meeting, Councillor Ian Lynch had a motion which asked for signs to be put up in certain places, urging people …

ROADS in a Clare housing estate were described as “an embarrassment” at a meeting of the local authority. Asking that funds would be allocated next year to the Municipal Districts (MDs) for infrastructure in local authority estates, Councillor Cillian Murphy was scathing about the situation. “At the heart of this motion is a lived and very frustrating experience,” he told the July Council meeting. “The issue is falling between the Housing Section and the MD offices. If you take Marian Estate in Kilkee, the roads there are, quite frankly, an embarrassment and they should be to the Council. “I have asked the Housing Section and they said it’s the MD office. The MD said they had no budget, and round and round and round we go. The only solution is to have a specific item in budget for MDs to tackle estates. We are not asking for more money, but for clarity.” Co-sponsors of the motion, Councillors Pat O’Gorman, Shane …

“THERE’S something for everyone” in the approved schedule for works for this year in West Clare. That was the view of Councillor Gabriel Keating who proposed the approval of the multi-million euro plan at the district committee meeting last week.  An increase in almost all funding streams will see a total of more than €48 million being invested in roads infrastructure across Clare this year. Major projects earmarked for funds in West Clare include Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon. Funding of €970,000 allocated to Clare will be funnelled mainly towards The West Clare Greenway. There have also been increases in the funds available to West Clare for road improvement and maintenance this year. A total of 13 bridges in the district will be refurbished and five safety improvement schemes will be progressed. Under the heading of climate mitigation, eight schemes will be advanced in West Clare, mainly in the Kilrush Local Electoral Area (LEA).  Outlining the schedule for 2022, Senior Engineer …

A KILLALOE area councillor has welcomed the return to “the era of Bertie Ahern” in terms of spending on roads in Clare, following a significant increase in funds for the 2021 Schedule of Municipal District Works. At last week’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District, Senior Engineer John Leahy outlined how a total of €5.6m will be spent on roads in the area and noted an increase of 15% on the figure for 2020. An additional €4m will go towards the Killaloe bypass and crossing project. After Mr Leahy unveiled the total budget of €34.5m for Clare, €28m of which will go on the existing roads network, the senior engineer noted that for this was the first time the total annual allocation had significantly increased on the figure for 2008. “We had €31m at that time,” he said. “2008 was the end of the Celtic Tiger and the last time we had substantial grant funding, so we take that as …

CLARE Gardaí are appealing to all motorists to exercise extra caution as more people return to work after lockdown, while many cyclists and pedestrians are also taking to the roads. The issue, which has been raised by a number of councillors across the county, has received increased attention since Phase Three of the roadmap to re-opening the economy and the lifting of restrictions on travel. Sergeant Tríona Brooks of Ennis Garda Station outlined a number of concerns being seen since large volumes of traffic returned to the roads.  “Travel restrictions within the country have been lifted and we can all see extra volumes of traffic on our roads,” she said. “We are urging drivers to slow down and drive at an appropriate speed, ensure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing their safety belt, make sure that all children are in a suitable safety seat and never ever drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.” “Drivers should pay attention to the …

Clare County Council is advising motorists to slow down and drive with extreme caution due to continued heavy rainfall across the county. Spot flooding is reported on numerous routes, particularly throughout West Clare. Met Éireann is forecasting further falls of heavy rain today, tonight and into Saturday. Another 30 to 40mm of rainfall are expected, with greater totals on some higher ground.