This article is from page 10 of the 2013-05-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
AN AREA of Ennis should be pedestrainised to prevent traffic “choking” the town centre, a meeting has heard.
Cllr James Breen (Ind) raised the matter in a motion submitted to yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West electoral area.
He called for the “street from the Friary car park to Abbey Street to be pedestrianised on a permanent basis.”
Cllr Breen claimed that most cars turning onto Abbey Street travel though the town centre before leaving Ennis without stopping.
He said the number of cars travelling through the centre of Ennis is causing major traffic congestion. He said, “We are choking our town with traffic needlessly.”
In reply, senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea stated that the pedestrainisation of this section of Francis Street could not be considered on its own.
He stated, “This section of the road is closed by Gardaí for short periods of time at weekends in the interest of public safety. Ennis Town Council would have to evaluate the adjustments to the road network and traditional traffic flows in the town. This would require consideration of alternating the Francis Street car park layout to provide a turning area at the end of a cul de sac or provision of an exit into Friar’s Walk car park. This section of Francis Street is used during pedestrianisation of Abbey Street to turn traffic out onto Lower Abbey Street.”
Mr O’Dea told the meeting that some businesspeople in Ennis would say there are advantages to allowing traffic through the town centre. He explained that visitors to the town might come back after passing through.
Town manager and director of services Ger Dollard said pedestrianisation of Ennis is a “difficult issue”. He said the exit from Francis Street is important for traffic flow in Ennis. He added, “There is a long way to go before we can achieve a solution.”
Mr O’Dea said the council may consider signage around Tescos advising shoppers of alternate routes to exit Ennis.
Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) said the council could consider reversing traffic flow in Ennis. He told the meeting that the original Ennis Development Plan contained a proposal for cars to travel from O’Connell Street down Abbey Street.