EXTENDED working hours have been agreed between Clare County Council and Shareridge Ltd to accelerate public realm works in Ennis.
An additional work shift from 7pm to 3am has commenced four nights per week (Monday to Thursdays) as of this week. It is hoped this will see the project conclude a month ahead of schedule as a result, the works are part of an €11.5m public realm regeneration project.
A spokesperson for the local authority confirmed, “Clare County Council and the appointed contractor Shareridge Ltd. will be putting in place specific arrangements and make every effort to minimise noise and any potential disturbance during these times. The work pattern is warranted given the specific conditions on pavements and it is noted that this will facilitate earliest completion of all works on High Street. We do appreciate your patience at this time, and look forward to delivery of the remodelled street in coming months”.
Senior engineer Seán Lenihan had told The Clare Echo that efforts were ongoing to “try and accelerate the works”. He explained, “They are in contract to us to carry out the works within the period agreed at the cost agreed. We have looked at the possibility of working late. The problem with doing that in an urban context is you might have residents affected by night time noise and lighting. In certain areas of the town we’ve done analysis and there aren’t people in residence there so it would lend itself to evening work there”.
He stated, “We did put a lot of thought into how we could deliver the programme with the least amount of impact on the business community, that’s why we have it phased. Some contractors asked if we could shut down the town and we said absolutely not. We put in a moratorium during Christmas so the town could operate properly and we’ll do that again next Christmas. I don’t think there’s anything more we could have done at the time”.
Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) said the move to proceed with works out of hours on High Street came “following significant representation”. He stated, “This development will support our trading community and speed up the project by a three to five week improvement”.
