Urgent calls for improved safety measures for vulnerable road users in busy Clare town

As concerns grow over pedestrian and cyclist safety, urgent calls have been made for improved measures to protect vulnerable road users in busy areas around Ennis town, particularly at key roundabouts.

Between 2020 and 2024 1,462 pedestrians were severely injured in road traffic collisions across the country, and of the around 30 or road fatalities so far in 2025 have been pedestrians.

Sinn Fein councillor Tommy Guilfoyle and Fine Gael councillor Paul Murphy raised motions at the October meeting of the Ennis Municipal District in relation to proposed pedestrian crossings and improved safety measures for vulnerable road users at various busy areas within the town.

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Cllr Guilfoyle called on the Ennis MD to provide an update on the "proposed Pedestrian Crossing on the Clon Road between the New Road roundabout and the Lifford Road roundabout."

Paddy Tiernan, A/Senior Engineer, responded: "We were hopeful that the NTA [National Transport Authority]  would deliver a pedestrian crossing at this location in conjunction with the construction of the bus stops  for the Town Bus Service. The NTA have considered this proposal but are currently reluctant to include  this crossing as part of the overall contract for the bus stops.

"However, we will continue to make  representations to the NTA and our original proposal remains a possibility. Failing agreement with the  NTA we will explore other options to fund such a pedestrian crossing. We note locating a pedestrian  crossing may be challenging due to the abundance of property entrances along this stretch of road."

He further outlined that draft Local Transport Plan includes for both the Lifford Road  and New Road roundabouts to be signalised in the future by way of traffic lights.

"This design would  include pedestrian crossings at both junctions. We recognise that these projects may take several years  to be realised, and an interim crossing should be provided."

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Meanwhile, Cllr Murphy's motion focused on one of Ennis town’s busiest roundabouts, requesting "an update on safety improvements for vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists) at Clareabbey Roundabout, Clarecastle."

In her reply, Anne O’Sullivan, Senior Executive Engineer, stated: "A preliminary design for pedestrian and cycling facilities in the N85 Clareabbey Roundabout has been  submitted to TII for their approval. A decision on this is imminent and it is hoped to proceed to the  statutory consent process before Christmas. At this stage the proposed works at the roundabout will  be presented with the Limerick Road Active Travel Scheme for public consultation."

Commenting on the reply he received, Cllr Murphy told Clare FM: "The fact that they put a timeline on it before Christmas, I think that's a positive. It gives me the impression that there is a bit of movement eventually, still early days" emphasising, "it's like anything until I see shovels in the ground, for want of a better description, I wouldn't hold my breath forever either."

He outlined how the current roundabout works for motorist traffic "but it's for the pedestrian and the cyclist, that's where the danger is."

"And until such a time as we see something happen, we won't know for sure, but there's been enough studies done at this stage, so I hope that they come up with something positive that will work for those vulnerable road users."