The Mayor of Clare claims the short-term inconvenience caused by the construction of a new Active Travel scheme in Ennis will be outweighed by the long-term benefits it will offer to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Construction has commenced this week on the Tulla Road Active Travel Scheme, which Clare County Council estimates will take 18 months to complete.
Supported by a €1.8 million grant from the National Transport Authority, the project will provide a continuous 2.2 kilometre primary cycle route, as well as enhanced walking and wheeling facilities on the Tulla Road.
New and upgraded bus stops are to be incorporated in order to improve connectivity between St Senan’s Road and Hillcrest Junction, while pedestrian crossings will be improved, new crossings will be put in place, junctions will be tightened and various other traffic calming measures will be implemented.
Central to the scheme are one-way segregated cycle tracks which will be on both sides of the road, with shared-use paths to be put in areas where space is limited.
Clare County Council says the main benefits of the measures will be better accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians, safer connections to local amenities and an enhanced “look and feel” in the area.
Mayor of Clare, Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy, says it’s a long time coming.
The scheme is expected to take 18 months to complete and will be carried out in seven phases, with the first phase from Gort na mBláth to Hillcrest, the duration of which is believed to be 12 weeks, having commenced on Tuesday.
The local authority says a traffic management system will be in place for the duration of construction and “free flow” of school and standard work traffic will be facilitated.
Works are to take place from 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, with works impacting road operation to be carried out from 9:30am to 4pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.
The council hasn’t ruled out nighttime construction but insists this will only take place with prior approval and a plan in place to ensure alternative access to all properties as well as 24-hour emergency access at all times.
Clare County Council Senior Executive Engineer Anne O’Sullivan claims residents will be updated frequently.
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