INSTALLATION of lighting on the main route into Shannon Town Centre “is essential,” the county’s first citizen has said.
Officials in the transportation department of Clare County Council are to work with the National Transport Authority on the possibility of a submission for Active Travel funding for Bóthar Mór (R471) from Ballycasey roundabout to the Shannon Springs Hotel.
It follows a request by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) before the Shannon Municipal District for LED lighting and a footpath to be installed along the road. “It is a very dark area, there was a fatality at one stage, it is time that we got the lighting, I’m not sure about the footpath but definitely the lighting needs to be there”.
“This is the entrance road to Shannon Town Centre, for the public coming from dual carriageway it is essential that the road is lit up, maybe we should put double LED lights on it to make it very bright. It is a section of road leading into Shannon but at the moment it is very dark,” the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council added.
Half a dozen motions have been tabled on the matter, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) told the meeting. “It is important we keep it alive. It is a dark section of road and an area that could do with enhancement”. He questioned if the addition of lighting would go “hand in glove” with the construction of a footpath.
Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett confirmed, “Lighting can be carried out independently of footpath, an assessment will be carried out to determine the need for a footpath”.
Construction of a footpath is required, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) flagged. “It is a beautiful road when you look up and see the trees, it needs enhancement, people do use the walkway from Hurlers Cross so a footpath is needed”.
