Plans for new bus service along busy Clare road are 'shelved'

The National Transport Authority has confirmed the proposed route of the new Ennis Town bus service will not include the N85/Lahinch Road.

Confirmation that Shanaway Road will instead be used came at a meeting of Ennis Municipal District - in response to a notice of motion, submitted by Cllr Mary Howard.

"It has been brought to my attention that the proposed route along the N85 /Lahinch Road to the Acha Bhile Housing Development is to be shelved. I am requesting that this route will be included in the new service," stated the Fine Gael councillor's motion.

In a written reply, which was circulated at the February meeting, Eamon O’Dea, Senior Executive Engineer at Clare County Council said: "The National Transport Authority have considered the demand and network characteristics of both route options, Shanaway Road and N85, and, whilst both have merit, the conclusion is that we should select the Shanaway Road option."

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In his response to the motion, Mr O'Dea said there were a number of reasons for the decision including that there are "more options to provide bus stop infrastructure close to residential areas, to help maximise coverage of the route"/

He added that Shanaway Road "is of a character where it is more appropriate to install infrastructure for buses to turn around and wait in-between journeys."

He said the selection of Shanaway Road will also ensure key infrastructure can be delivered more quickly meaning the new bus service can be launched earlier.

"We also intend to include a set of bus stops close to the Shanaway Road/N85 junction, meaning that people from the residential areas along the N85 will have a bus stop as close to them as possible," stated Mr O'Dea.

The Senior Executive Engineer said it is also proposed to enhance bus services along the N85 between Ennis and west Clare and to introduce new bus stops with infrastructure along the N85 close to Inisgrove/Acha Bhile.

"These new stops, coupled with the increase in services, will mean residents will also benefit from having a direct, accessible bus to Ennis town centre and railway station," he stated in his written reply.