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23, 2024 2025 THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 31,
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Car-free future INTO THE FUTURE for Ennis town? by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie
FULL-TIME pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street in Ennis will be the subject of a new public consultation process. Ennis’ largest infrastructural project, the public realm works which began in October 2023 are nearing the finish line. The main construction phase of the project will conclude on November 26th, which is a month behind schedule and two months behind the estimated September finish as stated at the Ennis Municipal District AGM in June. When works on the €11.5m scheme end next month, vehicular traffic will return to all streets in the town centre except O’Connell Street which will remain closed to traf-
fic until February 16th. An online survey will go live at the beginning of December with subissions to be accepted until the start of January 2026 on future access, traffic flow, and possible pedestrianisation options for O’Connell Street. In a statement on Wednesday, Clare County Council flagged that a formal Section 38 process will commence in mid-January. A Section 38 of the Roads Act allows a local authority to introduce or alter road layouts such as pedestrianisation, cycle lanes, or traffic calming by public consultation, without needing a full planning application process. Full story p6
Pictured at the burying of a time capsule to mark eighty years since the first scheduled transatlantic flight at Shannon Airport were Ray O’Driscoll, Interim CEO The Shannon Airport Group with Hannah O’Brien, Rylana Obtinario and Lee O’Callaghan, Senior Infants Class of St Conaires National School, Shannon and their teacher Aimee Moore Photo by Arthur Ellis
Inner relief road to get Ennistymon moving by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie
A HIGH COURT decision has dismissed an application to bring a judicial review challenge against the CPO for the Ennistymon inner relief road. Ennistymon’s notorious traffic blackspot Blake’s Corner is among the main aspects of the inner relief road. The project has been in the offing since 2017 and has been subject to several delays akin to motorists stuck when travelling from Ennistymon to Lahinch. On Tuesday, Clare County Council announced the pro-
ject would now proceed to the next stage but nothing is plain sailing when it comes to Blake’s Corner with some insiders warning that the High Court case will not be approved until November 4th. Cllr Shane Talty (FF) flagged “there may still be avenues of appeal open to affected property owners”. He added, “I hope that once the legal process concludes definitely that the TII will give the required priority funding of this project and ensure construction can commence as soon as is practicable”. Full story p4