An Ennis retailer is calling for public realm works to take place from Monday through to Saturday in order to speed up the project and minimise the impact of road closures on local businesses.
It comes as Shareridge LTD has commenced night shifts on the High Street Phase after reaching an agreement with Clare County Council.
Shareridge LTD will now have night crews working from 7pm to 3am from Monday to Thursday for the next five weeks in an attempt to expedite the delivery of the High Street works.
The High Street element of the €11.5m Ennis Public Realm Project was initially scheduled to be completed by July, but it’s hoped the additional works will speed this up by a month.
Elsewhere roads are closed to traffic on O’Connell Street, while some parking has been restricted in the Market, with both phases to be completed by January and July of next year respectively.
One Business owner though is questioning if additional shifts can be actioned for all sections of the works, for up to six days a week.
Barry O’Driscoll who’s operated Precious Pets on Summer Hill for the past 25 years, claims some businesses have gone a full day without a sale due to the impact of the works and fears there will be closures.
Ennis Municipal District maintains its exhausting all avenues to minimise the impact of public realm works on local businesses though.
But Senior Engineer Seán Lenihan insists disruption is unavoidable during major public works.
Clare County Council claims that when completed next July, the overall public realm project will increase footfall to the town centre and encourage more people to avail of local retail.
Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O’Callaghan, who had lobbied for additional night shifts to commence on High Street in recent weeks, insists additional car parking will be needed to cater for this, but says the immediate focus must be getting the job done.
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