A “gentle balance” is applied by Clare County Council with improvements to local roads which may not be able to facilitate a large increase in traffic if measures such as passing bays are introduced.
Following a request by Cllr Mark Nestor (FF), local authority officials committed to engaging with landowners on the Drumcliffe Rd to cut back roadside hedges. Residents had complained to the Cloughleigh native on the negative impact the overgrown hedges were having.
Arrangements were made as part of the Ballyalla Lough Loop Walk to complete the works under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Safety issues for road users were flagged by Cllr Pat Daly (FF), “It is fierce narrow, it is almost like a one way system, it is a very narrow road, something needs to be done”.
Speaking at the December meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) suggested that either one or two passing bays be put on the road to help alleviate any worries.
While the notion of passing bays would be examined, senior engineer Eamon O’Dea outlined, “By facilitating cars better you are attracting traffic to an area that you don’t want traffic into. We want it to be an area for pedestrians and cyclists. There is a gentle balance between what would be appropriate and assisting people who need to use it”.
