*Appeals have been made to install a pedestrian crossing in front of Clarke’s Shop.
PLANNING CONTRIBUTIONS made by housing developers in Crusheen may be tapped into to fund infrastructural works in the village.
Last year, attempts to source Active Travel funding from the National Transport Authority (NTA) for Crusheen were unsuccessful.
In their proposal to the NTA, the Killaloe Municipal District sought to provide improved pedestrian facilities across the R458 and across the L4074 Tulla Rd creating linkages between the housing and activity centres and to incorporate traffic calming measures by Clarke’s super market and service station, by Crusheen’s GAA grounds and the local primary school.
Acting senior engineer in the Killaloe MD, Derek Troy explained, “unfortunately this proposal along with other similar proposals throughout the Killaloe MD was unsuccessful. It is intended Killaloe MD will seek funding from planning contributions in order to deliver this project”.
Installation of a pedestrian crossing in front of Clarke’s shop and service station was requested by Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) at the July meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District. “We are well aware there is a need for safety measures to be put in place, there is a lot of activity going on there, it is unfortunate that Active Travel funding didn’t go the way of Crusheen, a lot of money went into cycling lines which was disappointing, I would have liked for other projects to have got consideration,” he stated.
“There are a lot more pedestrians crossing the road on the right side leading through Crusheen,” Cooney flagged. He welcomed the willingness to consider funding the works through planning contributions, “is there a possibility it will be received in 2023 and works to start in 2023,” he questioned.
According to Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), there has been “a huge amount of disappointment on Active Travel funding and how the Department have moved from it and we look at the plans for the Tulla Rd into Ennis, we’ve seen a lot of Active Travel around Ennis which I don’t believe is meeting the requirements, it is a substantial road going into it and hope it doesn’t impinge on East Clare people going in, ultimately we’ve been the losers here”.
Hayes urged Council management to “draw down the funds from levies” following “huge development in Crusheen”, he added, “one can only hazard a guess at the amount of funding”.
Meetings administrator in the Killaloe MD, Brian McCarthy said he endorsed the view of his colleague that planning contributions could be used to fund the works. “We have met community groups in Crusheen and we might sit down with them in September to see how enhancements can be made,” he stated.
Cllr Cooney repeated his query on whether the planning contributions could be applied for and obtained in 2023 “to try carry out the pedestrian crossing and improve safety to the school and GAA grounds”.
McCarthy responded to say an application for the development contributions could be made this year. “To be fair to the people of Crusheen there has been significant developments and it is only right that it is seen to benefit area. We will make a coordinated approach for enhancements in September”.
