This article is from page 30 of the 2007-05-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
PUBLIC TRANSPORT is the main is- sue concerning people in the Shannon and Sixmilebridge areas, according to a survey undertaken locally.
The Shannon Community Network has concluded that people living in the area are most concerned about lack of suitable transport.
They believe that the re-opening of the railway station in Sixmilebridge 1s long overdue, while the frequency of bus services serving the area is insutf- ne toele
Secretary of the Shannon Commu- nity Network, Richard Cahill said the transport issue was identified at the re-
cent AGM.
“The main topic people wanted in- formation on was when will the train station be re-opened. Public transport was the main issue,” he said.
In response to the feedback, the Net- work has now organised a meeting on transport in Sixmilebridge next month (Thursday June 7, at Teach Cuirte, Sixmilebridge). Iarnr6d Eireann’s Re- gional Manager Jim Meade and the Regional Manager of Bus Eireann Paddy McGuinness will attend, as will Laura Ward of East Clare Accessible Transport (ECAT).
They will give powerpoint presenta- tions and will be the focus of a ques- tions and answers session, where issues
of concern will be addressed.
“We have asked politicians running in the election will they commit to come along, if elected,” said Mr Cahill.
The Bridge Complex provides a bus service for senior citizens, who travel from Sixmilebridge to the daycare cen- tre in Clarecastle every week. While this service 1s welcome, there 1s a need for additional bus services for people of AV Toe
‘People want more than that. For the past four years, ECAT has echoed that it would be wonderful to have services around the train station in Sixmilebri- dge,” he said.
He said that locals are also concerned about the state of access roads into and
out of Sixmilebridge.
‘The roads are poor. At best they are regional roads, with just enough room for a car and truck. If two trucks meet, one has to pull in so the other can pass,” he said.
sixmilebridge councillor John Crowe (FG) is hopeful, meanwhile, that the railway station will be built within the next year.
“The money has been allocated by the Government, Clare County Coun- cil now has to allocate funding for the development of a car park. The land has been sterilised for the car park. It is badly needed and we are hoping it will be started within the next year,” said Cllr Crowe.