This article is from page 2 of the 2007-12-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
that the council is hopeful that it will be open “a week or so” before Christmas.
“There are, however, a couple of weather dependent activities that need to be completed and if things went bad in that respect we may have difficulties,” he said.
The Ennis bypass from Barefield to the Limerick dual carriageway opened ahead of time last January.
The remaining parts of the projects have all run behind time.
Ennis Chamber of Commerce CEO Rita McInerney said that it would be great if the link roads were open up to two weekends before Christmas.
“I believe it will help the businesses for the bypass to be open. It is impor- tant for access around the town that these sections are opened.”
The chamber CEO said that it was also important that the link roads were finished off well with footpaths and lighting.
“People enjoy walking and cycling on the link roads as a leisure activ- ity,’ she said.
Ms McInerney said that the link
roads were also important to the vis- ual impact of the town.
‘“T expect that these roads would be finished to a high standard. It is im- portant that they are finished prop- erly as it gives a good impression on the approach to the town,” she said.
This weekend also saw the first weekend of the pedestrianisation of the town centre for Christmas shop- pers. Retailers had mixed fortunes with many blaming the bad weather for sales. Late last week the Ennis Chamber of Commerce asked the council to postpone the pedestriani- sation when the stormy weather was predicted. The council had already advertised the closure of the roads,
so it had to go ahead.
Ms McInerney said that next week when the Christmas lights are switched on it would bring an even more festive feel to the centre of the town and be more inviting to shop- OL uCR
The CEO also suggested that a change to the barriers stopping cars from entering the centre of the town would also help. The barriers used last week gave the impression that the roads were closed off completely and an alternative should be consid- Kerem
The Holy Family National School will also be opening its car park from next weekend at €3 per day.