CONSTRUCTION of the Active Travel scheme on the Tulla Rd in Ennis is expected to last eighteen months.
Work had been due to commence in the summer time but got underway on Tuesday last (October 28th), thirty two months after funding was first secured.
The Clare Echo in September reported that staff within the Ennis Municipal District had identified a contractor and were earmarking an October start for the scheme. At a briefing of the Ennis MD in April, elected members were told that local authority engineers were hoping to “be on ground this summer”.
Senior engineer Seán Lenihan had said the contract was for a “twelve-month window” but a spokesperson for Clare County Council has now detailed that “construction is expected to continue for approximately eighteen months”.
A seven-phase construction plan has been outlined, the first of which is expected to last for twelve weeks. It is broken down as follows, Phase 1: Gort Na mBláth to Hillcrest. Phase 2: Millbank to Gort na Bláth. Phase 3: Elm Wood to Millbank. Phase 4: Newpark Rd to Elm Wood. Phase 5: Knockaderry Grove to Newpark Road. Phase 6: Cloverhill to Knockaderry Grove. Phase 7: St Senans Rd to Cloverhill.
€1.8m in funding for the project was granted for the project in February 2023. An additional €1.5m was received in January of this year. Local authority sources have flagged that the overall Active Travel scheme will cost in the region of €5m. The scheme will provide a continuous 2.2km primary cycle route and enhanced walking and wheeling facilities, incorporating new and upgraded bus stops to improve connectivity between St Senan’s Road and Hillcrest Junction.
Existing pedestrian crossings will be upgraded and new crossings will be introduced at key locations while also implementing traffic calming measures such as junction tightening and a raised table at Ballymacahill Junction. The scheme includes one-way segregated cycle tracks on both sides of the road, with shared-use paths in areas where space is limited.
Temporary traffic lights will form part of the traffic management plan that will be in place for the duration of the works. Works will take place weekdays from 8am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm but works impacting road operation will take place from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays, allowing for free flow of school and standard work traffic.
Any night-time working and Temporary Traffic Management shall only take place with prior approval, and the contractor will ensure alternative access to all properties and maintain 24-hour emergency access at all times.
Senior executive engineer with the County Council, Anne O’Sullivan explained, “This project is designed to deliver significant improvements for cyclists, pedestrians, and all road users along the Tulla Road corridor. To achieve this outcome some disruption can be expected during the construction phase, but we are doing everything possible to minimise the impact including giving special consideration to traffic flow at peak times such as school and work travel”.
She added, “Clare County Council and the contractors will keep residents and stakeholders informed at all stages through monthly leaflet drops, local newspaper and radio ads, social media updates, and variable message signs on approach roads. A liaison officer has also been appointed for the duration of the works and can be contacted directly on info@nevillecivilworks.ie with any questions. The Clare County Council Active Travel Team can also be contacted on activetraveloffice@clarecoco.ie”.
