Threat of protest at Blake’s corner

Councillor Bill Slattery has upped the ante considerably with regard to his opposition to the traffic issues at Blake’s Corner, Ennistymon.

While the January meeting of the West Clare Municipal District heard suggestions that the controversial bridge should be blown up, on Tuesday Councillor Slattery told The Clare Champion that he would act decisively at the busiest time of the year in Ennistymon and Lahinch, if an upcoming consultant’s report on the issue is not to his liking.

Councillor Slattery believes the only option left to progress the issue is for him to spend time on the bridge during the upcoming visitor season.

“I will protest on the bridge during busy weekends for the 2015 season. I want this brought to the attention of the people of Ireland and not only the people of North Clare. I’m getting complaints from Dublin about this. This is an absolute disgrace,” he thundered angrily.

“The vast majority of people in Clare want this resolved. This heritage thing is absolutely ridiculous. Then there is the danger element of people getting killed going down the steps,” he said, with reference to the two council-owned houses at Blake’s Corner, which are protected structures.

Lahinch-based Councillor Slattery also urged that a figure of €100,000, which has been set aside for general maintenance, should be used to knock the houses.

“I want that to be ring-fenced for the demolition and not for the upkeep of the two derelict buildings concerned,” he said.