*Cluain Airne. Photograph: Joe Buckley
PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING works in Cluain Airne and Tradaree impacting on Shannon residents are to proceed.
A series of traffic calming measures are to be introduced as proposed by Clare County Council from the St Patrick’s Comprehensive school roundabout through the cul-de-sac between Tradaree and Cluain Airne estates in Shannon.
Two uncontrolled pedestrian crossings, four speed cushions, alterations to existing build-outs, junction tightening introduction of drop kerbs and two short sections of footpath to accommodate the pedestrian crossing points on Bothár na Rinne are proposed.
Following the erection of a site notice at the beginning of June and the publication of a Section 38 notice in The Clare Champion, just one submission was received from the public.
This submission queried if a pedestrian crossing should be allowed to enable a crossing to St Patrick’s Comprehensive. The correspondence also requested utilisation of some of the green space for parking between Cluain Airne and Tradaree to remove cars parking along the road edge and also the provision of additional parking at the end of the road.
Senior executive engineer with the Shannon Municipal District, Tom Mellett in his report to elected members outlined that an improved pedestrian crossing point is included opposite the basketball area of St Patrick’s Comprehensive.
On the utilisation of green space, he stated, “the design incorporates existing build-outs along this road which allow for parking. Recessing these buildouts into the green spaces would lead to long wide straight sections of road which can lead to increases in vehicle speeds”. Consideration to increasing available parking spaces can be made in a separate application, he said.
At the September meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) felt further improvements could be made to the proposal. “I had issues with it and I was trying to improve what was on offer, that is our duty because it is a reserved function to pass it. I’ve met on site with the senior executive engineer and liaised with residents in the area”.
He told the meeting his support for the measures were dependent on adaptations. “I am hoping improvements can be put forward, one of them is for an additional speed cushion before the bend on the road”. The other was a centre white solid line from the roundabout “to stop illegal parking on both sides of the road and to give additional parking, with those improvements pencilled in I will support, if they are not, I will not”.
“To incorporate the changes would mean going back to the drawing board and starting again,” Mellett advised the meeting. “I can give a commitment that we will progress a separate Section 38 to incorporate those changes,” the engineer added.
Such a commitment was requested “in writing” with a timeline by Cllr Flynn. “It is very important, a number of people have said I’m holding this up, I’m not, I want to get it right,” the Shannon representative added.
Work on a design can begin relatively quickly, the senior engineer said and he outlined the aim to have the Section 38 ready for the November meeting of the Shannon MD.
Following on from this commitment, the traffic calming works were proposed by Cllr Flynn and seconded by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF).
