This article is from page 22 of the 2012-11-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
A SECTION of the Tulla Road in Ennis has been described as the “most dangerous road” in Clare.
The comment came yesterday from councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) who pressed Clare County Council to introduce long mooted road safety measures at Oakleigh Woods and Corrovorrin.
In motions submitted to a meeting of councillors in the Ennis East electoral area, Cllr Flynn called on the council to “immediately plan and budget to construct the roundabout at Oakleigh Woods / Cappahard Junction in the interests of public safety”.
Cllr Flynn told the meeting that there had been an “abject failure” on behalf of the road authority to deal with traffic issue at Oakleigh Wood / Cappahard. He said 500 houses are located in an area served by what he called the “most dangerous road in the county”. Cllr Flynn said while there had been improvements carried out on rural sections of the road, little had been done by comparison in Ennis. He said a planned compulso ry purchase order of ground near the entrance of Cappahard had been held up over a “ransom strip of land”.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said a roundabout is “essential” for the area.
In response, Senior Engineer Tom Tiernan stated, “The potential cost of the roundabout which was previously designed is quite significant and the cost of a compulsory purchase order to facilitate this design is also a matter of some concern. Alternative options from a design point of view are presently being examined with a view to a reduction of costs and hopefully an earlier resolution on the ground.”
There were also renewed calls for a roundabout or traffic lighted junction to be installed at the entrance to Corrovorrin.
Cllr Flynn told the meeting that one resident had told him that it takes seven and a half minutes to exit Corrovorrin in the morning.
Committee Chairman, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said the motion had come before council meetings on numerous occasions. Cllr Daly said “something has to be done” at Corrovorrin.
In response to calls for improvements to the Corrovorrin / Tulla Road junction, Mr Tiernan stated, “A proposal under the Low Cost Safety Scheme has been submitted to the Department of Transport / NRA by Clare County Council for the provision of traffic lights at this location. Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council are proceeding with the design and public consultation processes for this scheme in anticaption of funding in 2013.”