LATEST: Major upgrade to busy road in Clare town advances to next stage

Clare County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will now move forward with the next stages of the N67/N85 Ennistymon Inner Relief Road project.

The announcement comes following a High Court ruling last week.

The High Court dismissed an application for leave to bring a judicial review challenge against the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the inner relief road, allowing the infrastructure project to move forward.

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It has been revealed that the next stages of the project will include detailed design development, conclusion of the land acquisition and planning for the construction phase.

The inner relief road will deliver significant safety benefits to Ennistymon, designed to address long-standing traffic congestion at Blake’s Corner, a key junction in the town.

The scheme includes the construction of a new bridge upstream of the historic Michael Conway Bridge and the pedestrianisation of the existing bridge.

Additional improvements include upgraded footpaths, enhanced crossing arrangements, landscaping, lighting, and other public realm enhancements, designed to improve road capacity and safety while preserving the town’s historic character.

Clare County Council Director of Service Housing Delivery, Infrastructure Provision & Land Activation, Alan Farrell, said: “While a definitive construction start date has not yet been confirmed, the council remains fully committed to progressing the project in a timely and responsible manner, with regular updates to be provided to the public as milestones are reached.”

The Compulsory Purchase Order was previously approved by An Bord Pleanála in June 2022, but the process was then paused due to the application for leave to bring a judicial review.

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