EFFORTS to widen the road leading to the Kilkerrin Napoleonic Battery have met a large stumbling block.
Since September, the much heralded community group in Labasheeda have been lobbying to widen, resurface and provide additional lay-bys for the upper road from Kilkerrin Cross to the Battery.
Their cause was highlighted by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) at a recent meeting of the West Clare Municipal District where he tabled a motion furthering their request. “The roads’ L2064 and L6293 passed through the townlands of Killofin, Knockaputten, Millpark, Kilkerrin and Lakyle North”.
While submitting his motion, Cllr Keating included a petition from fifty seven residents and two landowners in the area. The road to the Battery will form part of a national cycling trail once it is fully established.
Stephen McDonagh who forwarded the petition to the Cross native detailed that the road was “a strategic route” to Kilkerrin Napoleonic Battery. “Getting this road completed so that it can take two-way traffic is necessary for the local community to continue its work in promoting the long-term conservation” of the historic monument.
McDonagh flagged that “a huge increase in the volume of traffic” to Kilkerrin has been observed during the past nineteen months. This he said “has clearly highlighted that the road in its current condition with its poor surface is not fit for surface”. He warned of the impact to the road of sixteen hectares of forestry which are to be planted in Lakyle North. Camper vans have been pulled from open drains by local farmers along the route, he added.
Senior executive engineer with the West Clare MD, Alan Kennelly in his response outlined that the aggregate length of both roads was an approximate 7km. “Generally, the road surface is in good condition, but the roads (& particularly the L-6293) are narrow”.
Plans to widen the road or include more lay-bys are not planned, he confirmed. “Measures in addition to resurfacing may be required (provision of lay-bys, widening the narrowest parts of the road or other measures) to ensure that the road is safe for all road users – pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles – to use simultaneously. Clare County Council does not have any plans to widen the road or provide additional lay-bys at present. A funding source would have to be identified before works of this scale could be commenced”.
Coillte’s forestry plans could lead to a potential funding source, Cllr Keating flagged. His motion was seconded by Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) with Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) praised the community group in Labasheeda as “one of the most active” in the county.
