This article is from page 10 of the 2006-02-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
A NEW plan that would spark a major overhaul of taxi services in Ennis has been given the green light by Ennis Town Council.
The plan was warmly welcomed be members of Ennis Town Council at yesterday’s meeting of the local authority.
The proposal incorporates six sub-proposals, which will see the existing taxi rank on the south side of the O’Connell Square removed and re-designated as a loading bay; and the removal of the taxi rank on the north side of O’Connell Square.
The existing taxi rank at Bank Place will be redesignated as a parking facility, while a new overnight taxi rank will be provided at Market Place. A new 24 hour taxi rank is also due to be provided at the Parnell Street car park.
A proposal which would have seen an overnight taxi rank provided on Abbey Street near the Queen’s Hotel, was not recommended to the council due to concerns raised by Mulqueen’s Florists over possible security issues.
In total, 16 submissions were received by Ennis Town Council regarding the Draft Ennis Appointed Stands Bye-laws 2005. There was broad support for the proposals from the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, the Taxi Federation and the gardaí.
Ennis Town Engineer, Tom Tiernan, said that the plan was the first step in an eventual redevelopment of O’Connell Square and that the selection of new locations for taxi ranks was based on the current existing use of the location.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said that there should be an onus on shopping centres to provide taxi ranks for customers.
“With over 100 plates in the town, the taxi service is crucial to the Ennis economy and it is good that there is this level of agreement. It should succeed and will lead to a better environment in Ennis. All shopping centres in the town should also provide taxi ranks”.