*Cllr Mary Howard. Photograph: Eamon Ward
AN APPEAL to create a longer left filter lane at the junction of Watery Rd and the Gort Rd has been made to deal with school traffic.
At a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) cited the “traffic tailbacks” often visible at the junction. She enquired about creating a longer left filter lane in the large green area “to allow traffic to flow especially for school traffic in the morning”.
Acting senior executive engineer, Ian Chaplin explained that “a couple of cars” are facilitated through the filter lane for left turning. “The junction will be monitored to assess the level of queuing at peak times. A full topographical survey and design would be required to assess in greater detail and a funding source would be required to progress any proposed works”.
He said that the proposal from Cllr Howard would force the removal of the existing footpath and the construction of a new one set back by 3m plus the addition of a new 3m wide and 30m long road lane. Tree removal and road lining would also be required, Chaplin stated.
“It is not the reply I was looking for,” Cllr Howard replied. A longer filter lane would create more space, she argued. “There is a build-up of traffic there every day, it is a road I use an awful lot to get out of the Gort Rd”.
