Concerns over lack of government funding to help progress '10 minute town' plan for Clare

A motion has been submitted to Clare County Council requesting that additional Government funding be sought in order to facilitate provision of a proposed pedestrian footbridge from New Road to Francis Street in Ennis .

The Notice of Motion was submitted by Cllr Paul Murphy as the proposed bridge is included in the County Development Plan which aims to help Ennis meet its '10 minute town' objectives.

It is envisaged that the footbridge will encourage an increase in usage of active travel facilities and public transportation to help people move more freely throughout the town.

In response to the motion, Director of Service Sean Lenihan stated the provision of the pedestrian footbridge remains an objective of the council and the provision has been included in the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029.

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In a written reply to members of the Ennis Municipal District, he said: "Moreover, access to the River from the New Road side has been provided for as part of the recent CBS Primary School Planning Permission."

Mr Lenihan continued: "The funding for same remains the issue but we will continue to advocate for the project with the Active Travel Section of the NTA (National Transport Authority) while also seeking alternative means of funding at a local and national level" 

It is hoped that once funding is made available, it will have significant benefits in terms of encouraging active travel and modal shift leading to less car usage and the consequential traffic congestion in the town centre which MR Lenihan said would "be very welcome indeed."

He concluded: "I will keep the members informed accordingly of developments."