This article is from page 35 of the 2007-03-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
CLARE’S county manager, Alec Fleming, has written to the National Roads Authority (NRA) to recom- mend that it proceed with developing a contentious road through the vil- lage of Kilnamona.
The controversy surrounding the route selection for the upgrading of the N85 Ennis to Inagh road has dogged Clare County Council since last November.
A motion by Deputy Mayor Coun-
cillor Brian Meaney that the council proceed with the so-called ‘Purple Route’ precipitated heated debate at the council over a succession of meetings on council procedure.
A recommendation that the coun- cil adopt the “Purple Route’ was re- jected by councillors in 2005 who instead opted for the ‘Red Route’ which would have less disturbance on farmers’ land along the route.
However, the NRA is only willing to fund the ‘Purple Route’ as it is the only route that meets with standard
criteria for road investment.
The issue remained stalled until Cllr Meaney tabled his motion last November and, as a result of the con- troversy, Mr Fleming has sent off a nine-page memo to Karina Downes, Regional Manager with the NRA out- lining the background to the current situation. In it, Mr Fleming admits that he should never have brought the report for approval before the coun- cillors in 2005.
In the letter — circulated to council- lors — Mr Fleming states, “From my
perspective as County Manager, I now realise that our action in bring- ing the draft route selection report before the council was not a neces- sary part of the process.
“In appointing consultants to carry out a constraints study and a route selection report including public con- sultation, the council was essentially acting on behalf of the NRA.
“It is, therefore, appropriate for me as County Manager to consider the route selection report and provided that I am satisfied with it, to submit
it to the authority along with the completed phase three route selec- tion questionnaire. It then becomes a matter for the authority to consider and approve the report if appropri- aioe
“It would then become a proposal from the NRA. It is at that stage that the local authority, in its capacity as a roads authority, 1s empowered under Section 22 of the Roads Act to make representations to the NRA.
Mr Fleming now asks the NRA to proceed with the ‘Purple Route’.