This article is from page 14 of the 2011-04-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
ILLEGAL parking on cycleways is forcing cyclists onto the carriageway and blocking visibility at junctions.
That’s according to Shannon Town Council, in response to concerns over public parking and traffic congestion in the vicinity of Bothar Linn in Shannon.
At a meeting of Shannon Town Council last week, Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn asked for the issue to be debated.
In a written response from senior executive engineer Eugene O’Shea, it was stated, “Traffic congestion in this area is not an issue. However, illegal parking of vehicles on cycleways is forcing cyclists onto the carriageway and blocking visibility at junctions.
“Much of this illegal parking oc- curs during school drop-off and pickup as well as patrons of the leisure centre puling up on the cycleway.
“The solution to this problem is for motorists to utilise the drop-off area at the school, the parking facilities provided at the leisure centre or those beside the Gaelscoil as appropriate,” added the council’s statement.
In response, Cllr Flynn said, “I would have to agree with the response from the senior executive en- gineer. For people to park on a cycle lane, we have already established that is illegal.
“This is an overall problem. It is about solutions,” he said.
“There is a potential danger for health and safety,” he said.
Fine Gael Councillor Seán McLoughlin said, “I’d like to see some kind of a plan brought forward.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Cathy Mc- Cafferty said, “Public safety is paramount. This is one of the busiest roads in the town.”
Labour Councillor Greg Duff said that the best should be achieved from cycle lanes in the town, given that efforts were made to obtain them in the first place.
“Cycle lanes . . . We campaigned for them, we got them, we should monitor them in some way that people get the best out of them,” he said.