This article is from page 4 of the 2014-09-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A PROPOSED new road would not just by pass the town of Ennistymon but the whole Blake’s Corner issue, according to one Clare politician.
Labour Deputy Michael McNamara said he would be suggesting to Clare County Council and the NRA that they consider bypassing the North Clare town, as it would make more economical sense than rebuilding a preserved building piece by piece at a different location.
The Clare TD said the proposal to move the preserved building is an old issue and would not ultimately solve the traffic issues of the town, merely at best ease them slightly.
He believes that a new road possibly along the track of the old West Clare Railway or a similar route that avoids the centre of Ennistymon would provide for better access to Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher for tourists, and free up the town for business.
“As it is, coaches do not stop in the town. If it was easy to access and there was no traffic jam issue perhaps bus drivers would include it as a point to stop for refreshments,” he said.
“Removing Blake’s Corner is irrelevant now and was an issue for ten years ago. We are trying to solve a problem of the future not the past,” he said, adding that more and more busses full of tourists are travelling to the cliff of Moher every year and need to be accommodated.” We need a new bridge and bypass. “Obviously money would be an issue and a by-pass would be a significant cost, but dismantling Blake’s slate by slate and brick by brick will also cost a fortune. I believe this cost would go along way towards a bypass. “In the long term it would be more cost effective and I would rather see the money go towards a new crossing and road that will solve the traffic issues of the future as well as the present and past,” he added.