This article is from page 9 of the 2005-09-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
RESIDENTS in East Clare have expressed their anger over the dangerous condi- tion of the Athlunkard Road, through Clonlara.
Around 50 local residents carrying placards attended a protest at Clancy’s Cross in
Clonlara, on Monday morn- ing, to highlight what they said was the road’s treacher- ous condition.
The road is to be re-sur- faced following six months of construction work. Last Autumn, Clare Civil Engi- neering commenced work on the laying of pipes for water
mains. Work was expected to be completed by May. But the road has yet to be completely resurfaced.
Locals claim that the road has been made extremely hazardous for pedestrians. According to one resident, cars are forced to drive in the middle of the road in order to avoid potholes.
The poor driving condi- tions have also resulted in a number of accidents and damage to cars, they said. In one instance over €800 worth of damage was done to a car.
Locals also complained that traffic lights were placed at inconvenient positions dur- ing the construction process, and that they were treated in a discourteous manner. The job of resurfacing the road was left out when the original contract for the project was drawn up, and has only come up for tender this summer.
“We wanted to show our solidarity with the residents of East Clare on this issue,” said Cllr Cathal Crowe who attended the protest along with fellow councillors John McInerney, Pascal Fitzgerald and Pat Breen TD and John O’Sullivan TD Limerick East