New one way street systems and park and stride hubs have been proposed as measures to ease traffic congestion in Ennis.
The Draft Local Transport Plan, which will aim to guide future investment in infrastructure in the county town and its surrounding areas, is entering its final week of public consultation, with over 200 submissions made so far.
Prepared by Systra Consultants and Clare County Council, The Ennis Draft Local Transport Plan has put forward a number of measures to optimise public transport, pedestrian, cycling and vehicular infrastructure for the town’s growing population.
Among the proposals is a phased 15-year plan that envisages having pedestrian priority on O’Connell Street, Abbey Street, Salthouse Lane and sections of Bank Place and Francis Street by 2040, meaning motor traffic would be restricted for certain hours.
To support the introduction of pedestrian priority, the Local Transport Plan would increase disabled parking bays by reallocating existing spaces, while 10% of all town parking spaces would eventually become Electric Vehicle bays.
In order to reduce the flow of vehicles going through the town centre, and free up parking for customers, a number of park and stride facilities are also suggested for employees, who would be allocated parking permits.
These sites would include Ennis Mart, Ennis Train Station, the Showgrounds, Cloughleigh Road, College Road and Council Offices.
A tiered parking structure is also recommended, which would see motorists pay less the further their proximity from the town.
Using data from a 2023 analysis, the report has also outlined that the underutilisation of multi-storey car parks leaves roughly 390 spaces free every day, with the Ennis Market site at 40% capacity on average and Dunnes Stores at 65%.
No less than 116 Active Travel Schemes are also proposed under the LTP, with the Gort Road, Tulla Road, Shanaway Round and Clareabbey Roundabout all listed as short term priorities.
Due to safety concerns, in an area where no pedestrian footpath exists, plans have been made for a section of the Mill Road at Cornmarket Street to become a one way traffic system, with a section of the Drumbiggle Road between the Showgrounds and Cahercalla also earmarked for a one-way system.
However, none of these plans are set in stone and members of the public still have until Friday June 27th to submit their views online.
