Speeding of trucks completing flood defence work in Clonlara has been raised as a concern by elected representatives in South-East Clare.
Clare County Council officials have been made aware of complaints relating to the movement of trucks around the construction site at Springfield where long-sought flood defence works are underway.
Among the grumblings are the use of the Waterways Ireland Bridge at Springfield by trucks, the loss of materials while turning, driver’s behaviour at the turn to the site, speeding through Clonlara and on approach roads.
Consideration of a temporary speed limit of 15km/h at Bellisle was proposed by Cllr Michael Begley (IND) for the duration of the embankment’s construction, “there has been a couple of close shaves”. This view was seconded by Cllr John Crowe (FG) at a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District.
Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett detailed that there is currently a traffic management plan for the movement of vehicles around the site, particularly those delivering materials. Contractors have been briefed on the plan, he confirmed.
Further conversations took place between the Council and the OPW following the complaints. “I understand that the OPW spoke to all drivers involved and the project management office were assured the issue has been dealt with by the OPW management team on site”.
Bringing in a temporary speed limit would require the input of An Garda Síochána but Mellett felt the approach followed was “likely to bring about changes in behaviour in a more efficient manner”.
