This article is from page 11 of the 2006-07-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
MEASURES to slow down dangerous drivers and to make the roads around Ennis safer are set to be introduced by Clare County Council.
The Council are to commence repair work on a number of roads in the Ennis area that have been left in a dangerous condition. Re-surfacing is set to take place on a treacherous stretch of road leading from Drumcliffe to the Ruan road. Clare County Council are also to consider the introduction of traffic calming measures between Drumcliffe cemetery and Ballyalla after residents stated they are living in fear because of drivers speeding in the area. Realignment is also set to take place on the Claremount road in order to give drivers better sight distance at a dangerous bend in the road.
Senior Executive Engineer, Hugh McGrath also urged Clare County Council to formulate a strategy for dealing with over grown hedgerows in rural areas. He cited the problem as contributing to the dangerous condition of rural roads and said a strategy needed to be urgently adopted.
“Clare County Council need to address putting in place a schedule for cutting hedgerows. More important than hedgerows are the grass verges. If that system was in place, it would make a huge improvement to the condition of the roads”
Raising the concerns over the conditions of the roads in Drumcliffe and Claremount at yesterdays Ennis electoral area meeting, Councillor Bernard Hanrahan said Clare County Council needed to be more proactive in the area of road safety.
“Clare County Council has to seriously look at how we can look at preventing the carnage on our roads. Hedge rows are a big problem in rural areas”
Cllr Pat Daly (FF) who requested work be carried out in the Drumcliffe area said residents are “living in fear” because of the antics of boy racers.
Cllr Joe Carey (FG) said drivers would have to change their behaviour and slow down on the roads.
Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said he was glad to hear that hedge rows could be cut down if they impeded safety conditions on a road.