Clare County Council are asking for the public’s assistance in respecting the environment around them as we prepare for an ‘outdoor summer’.
It comes as a Clare FM investigation has revealed 150 serviced bins will be available in the Shannon and Ennis electoral areas – but just two public toilets will be in use.
The local authority says it continues to work with An Garda Siochana in managing what will be a predominantly outdoor summer, but admits there were ‘problems’ with traffic congestion and littering in certain areas last weekend.
In response to detailed queries from Clare FM, the Council says 100 serviced bins will be available in the Ennis municipal district this summer, with 50 in Shannon – members of the public are also being encouraged to use recycling facilities in those areas.
Additional seating is being constructed in both areas, with two benches installed at the Shannon Embankment loop walks, and new seating at Woodquay in Ennis, along with wheelchair accessible tables at Tim Smythe Park and age friendly seating in O Connell Street.
The Council though says it’s had ‘no requirement’ to install additional parking in the Shannon MD, and points to free car parking available in the GAA/Cloister carpark in Ennis with approximately 100 spaces.
There are no public toilets to be made available in the Shannon MD other than those provided by Skycourt Shopping Centre, with two so-called ‘superloos’ in Market Street and Abbey Street to continue to be managed 24/7.
Clare County Council says extra seasonal staff will commence work this Bank Holiday weekend to assist with litter, public toilets and public information.
You can hear more on this on Clare FM’s Morning Focus this Thursday morning from 9am.
Statement from Clare County Council
‘County Council had additional staff on duty all weekend to deal with traffic and litter management. We work with An Garda Síochána in relation to the pressure areas but due to the extremely large number of visitors there were problems with traffic congestion and littering in a number of locations. A number of areas where litter was discarded are remote locations and it is not feasible to have bins located at all these locations. We ask for the public’s assistance in relation to their waste, by either using the nearest available bins or bringing their waste home with them to dispose of appropriately. We also ask that the public respect the environment they are visiting, including the sensitive sand dune areas in Fanore, and adhere to the signage by remaining off the area that is roped off. Additional toilet facilities will be up and running in Fanore very shortly once power connection is provided by the supplier.
Extra seasonal staff are commencing this June Bank Holiday weekend at our coastal locations to assist with litter, public toilets and public information.’
