Addition of a new roundabout and extended footpath in Willow Park has been labelled a “crucial piece of road infrastructure” for Ennis.
With work ongoing on a new roundabout at Willow Park, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) requested that the footpath from the Drumcliffe Rd junction onwards be extended.
Senior executive engineer with the Ennis Municipal District, Eamon O’Dea outlined that the works on the roundabout at the junction of Drehidnagower Rd and Watery Rd are to be undertaken by the developer of the housing scheme in the area.
He confirmed, “the margin on the Willow Park side of the Watery Road will be wide enough to cater for a footpath. This footpath will be done as part of the Drehidnagower Road footpath from Drumcliffe Road to Watery Road”. Members of the Council’s road staff “feel it would be unsafe to direct people towards the junction,” O’Dea explained.
Cllr Howard said the footpath needed to be extended into Willow Park “for mothers bringing children to schools and their buggies”. She also asked that the oak trees be replanted, some of which were removed as part of the development. “This is very positive the work that is happening, it is a fine development and the houses will have a lot of happy families in them. It’s more aesthetics to do with the roundaboout and make it safe”.
As he supported the proposal, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) called it a “crucial piece of infrastructure”. He was confident improvements to mobility would make it safe for residents getting to their houses from Lees Rd. “It is a busy road with a lot of walkers going to Lees Rd from throughout the town,” Cllr Pat Daly (FF) flagged.
