This article is from page 10 of the 2014-06-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
BLAKES Corner in Ennistymon has received a facelift with the first round of cosmetic works taking place at the controversial site since a dispute about its future arose some six years ago.
Clare County Council have just completed paint work on the buildings at Linnane’s and Blakes in Ennistymon, restoring much of the exterior appearance of the listed strictures. The local authority have also paid for completion of roof repairs on the building, with major damage reported to have taken place at the site during this winters storm.
The works, which are valued at between € 3,000 and € 5,000, were prompted after local representative highlighted the poor condition of the building.
A proposal to fill in the steps in front of the building, and create a safer passageway for the thousands of cars which will use the junction each day to travel to and from Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher has not been under taken. Clare County Council have also confirmed that consultants have been appointed to complete a feasibility study to examine a long term solution to the ongoing traffic difficulties at Blakes Corner. “The consultants have been appointed. A feasibility study is being carried out at present to explore the various options for delivering a resolution to traffic problems at the location,” said a council spokesperson.
The building at Linnane’s and Blake’s are at the centre of a dispute between Clare County Council, the National Roads Authority and local conservation group Saver Ennistymon’s Heritage. Plans to demolish the buildings and rebuild their facade a few metres back from their current location, in the process making way for a new road layout, are being opposed by Save Ennistymon’s Heritage.
Clare County Council and the NRA proposed building a roundabout at Blakes Corner to prevent ongoing traffic difficulties in the area and to make the roadway safe.
Save Ennistymon’s heritage would like the local authority to examine other possibilities – such as bypassing Ennistymon.