Urgent action sought to address ‘ridiculous’ traffic bottleneck in Ennistymon

Urgent remedial works are required at Blakes Corner in Ennistymon, in the interests of road safety and the reputation of the town, a local election candidate has claimed. 

Bill Slattery, who is running in the West Clare Municipal District, says the current state of disrepair of the buildings and footpath at the junction of the N67 and N85 has become “intolerable” for road users and residents of the North Clare town.

He has also warned that the scheduled opening of a 700-pupil secondary school on the outskirts of the town and the anticipated increase in tourism traffic to and through Ennistymon over the coming months heightens the need for a traffic management plan to be in place at the infamous bottleneck junction.

“As a former Councillor who proposed the Part 8 planning permission to enable the N67/N85 Inner Relief Road in Ennistymon to proceed in 2017, it is unbelievable and deeply frustrating to me that this vital infrastructure project remains at a standstill,” explained Mr. Slattery.

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He added, “A Judicial Review is being sought by a third party, which they are entitled to do, but, in the meantime, the condition of the buildings and the pavement at Blakes Corner is an absolute disgrace, a danger to motorists and pedestrians, and an eyesore for any tourists passing through Ennistymon.”

Mr Slattery continued, “Should I be elected to Clare County Council in June, I will be pushing for the Inner Relief Road to progress but in the interim, I am demanding that Clare County Council and TII to backfill the steps, remove the two sidewalls and upgrade the facade of the two buildings.”

“I am also concerned about the added traffic management issues that will arise from the imminent opening of the new Ennistymon Community School, which will cater for approximately 700 students,” he stated.

“The onset of the peak tourist season and the accompanying increased traffic flow through Ennistymon necessitates An Garda Siochana, TII and Clare County Council to step in and put a traffic management plan in place. Ultimately, however, only a completed Inner Relief Road is going to rid the town of this ridiculous bottleneck.”

The local elections take place on Friday, June 7.