*An artist’s impression of the original plans for the Active Travel Scheme.
ENNIS’ €1.8m Active Travel scheme on the Tulla Rd is expected to commence construction this summer.
Funding for the project was secured by Clare County Council in February 2023 from the National Transport Authority (NTA) with approval granted under Section 38 of the Roads Traffic Act in June of that year. Elected members of the Ennis Municipal District all backed the project, allowing it to proceed to design, procurement and construction.
Over two years on, the start of the construction stage of the scheme is almost in sight. A change in design from a steeped cycle track to a protected cycle lane has been approved in new plans. Changes to what was initially planned were also influenced by the Ennis Bus Service.
Revised designs were backed by Ennis MD councillors when they were proposed by Cllr Mary Howard (FG) and seconded by Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF).
R352 regional roads in Lifford, Knockanoura, Cappahard, Newpark, Roslevan and Knockanean are included in the scheme.
Executive engineer in the transportation department of the Council, James Keane briefed elected members of the Ennis MD on the new plans. “We hope to be on ground this summer,” he said.
In his report to elected members, he advised of the proposed traffic calming measures to be installed. “From the junction with Saint Senan’s Road to east of the junction with Hillcrest Estate on the Tulla Road, upgrade of existing cycle lanes, raised pedestrian and cyclist crossings, raised speed table at Ballymacahill crossroads, modified junctions and roundabouts, reduction in roadway width and removal of ghost islands,” he stated.
Associated works include landscaping, planting, drainage, alterations to footpaths, installation of new kerbs and shared surfaces, dropped kerbs and tactile paving. Traffic signs, road markings and road reinstatement will be installed to upgrade the existing cycle infrastructure on the Tulla Rd.
Two formal submissions were received by the Council during the statutory public consultation period. Both were in favour of the scheme but did raise concerns.
Traffic queuing on the R352 onto the public road (R352) from Coffee Rush was flagged in one submission, “currently during busy times vehicles are using the existing cycle lane to queue, the proposed scheme will prevent this and may cause delays on the public road”.
In response, the Council stated that vehicles should not be using the cycle lane to queue for the premises, “Clare County Council will consult with the business owner in relation to this and work on a solution”.
Lack of a controlled pedestrian crossing at the mini-roundabout between Kevin Barry Avenue and Tulla Rd was also flagged. “Currently there is an uncontrolled crossing at this location, Clare County Council will monitor this area once the Active Travel Scheme is implemented and assess the need for this crossing upgrade”.
Cycle and pedestrian safety in front of the filling station and former convenience store prompted the Council to engage with the owner of the commercial units at this point to implement one vehicular entry and exit point but Keane confirmed the talks were “unsuccessful”. The protection kerb will be lowered 25mm to allow vehicles access this section. He stated, “in relation to the service station, a planning permission application was submitted in relation to its upgrade, this included a more formal entry and exit arrangement which will address this section”.
Cappahard Roundabout is to be considered for the installation of a sheltered bus stop, he outlined.
Keane told elected members, “the purpose of this scheme remains the same and that is to improve safety and continuity for cyclists via the provision of a suite of traffic calming measures including protected cycle lanes, shared surfaces, tightened junctions together with raised cyclist/pedestrian crossings and associated works”.
