Mayor of Ennis faces criticism for calls to remove cycle lane near school

MAYOR of Ennis Pat Daly has come under fire for proposing part of a cycle lane near an Ennis school be removed.

Councillor Daly submitted a motion to February's Ennis Municipal District meeting asking that "Ennis M.D. consider removing one side of the cycle lane, the bollards and armadillos, on the road from Eire Og GAA grounds to St. Flannan’s College, mainly due to health and safety grounds on a daily basis.

Speaking during the monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 5, Cllr Daly said he had conferred with many motorists, residents and pedestrians at Clonroadmore, and that "the road is definitely too tight."

"Residents are finding it very difficult on a daily basis."

He also said he had spoken to many cyclists, who told him "one side of the road is sufficient for a cycle lane".

Cllr Daly's motion received stiff opposition from his colleagues, with many calling on him to withdraw it.

Strong opposition came in particular from Cllr Paul Murphy, who opposed the motion in "a big way."

"I'm disappointed that in this day and age taking out cycle lanes or reducing them," he said, pointing out that both St Flannan's and Ennis National School benefit massively from the scheme.

"It's unbelievable, it's regressive and it's certainly what I don't believe in," the Clarecastle councillor said.

Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy, who had originally proposed the traffic slowing and cycle lane that is in place at Clonroadmore, agreed with Cllr Murphy's assessment of the mayor's motion and expressed her surprise that such a motion would be put forward.

"Understandably so, the mayor is responding to requests that he has had, but what is the common good going forward?" she asked.

"The idea is to encourage movement away from the car. By supporting this motion, which I cannot do, we're actually saying we're promoting the car over the bicycle."

Following more discussion and opposition, Cllr Daly withdrew his motion, but stated that he was "asked by many residents on the road to bring this up."

While he acknowledged comments about the suitability of removing part of the cycle lane, he said he would continue to work towards removing the bollards and armadillos on the road, as they pose a risk to the safety of drivers who traverse the route.

In response to Cllr Daly's motion, Paddy Tiernan, senior executive engineer, advised that the current cycle lanes on Clonroadmore are set to be upgraded as part of the Clarecastle to Ennis Active Travel Scheme.

"This project will be the next to be undertaken following the completion of the Tulla Road Cycle Scheme. The Clarecastle to Ennis scheme will be designed to modern standards with all existing bollards and armadillos removed. These will not be replaced," Mr Tiernan's written response said.