Cllr Dinny Gould (inset) raised concerns regarding Castle Pier in Carrigaholt (photo: Paraic McMahon)
SIGNS are to be erected at Castle Pier in Carrigaholt after businesses raised concerns about parked cars blocking access to the working pier.
The update came at the September meeting of the West Clare Municipal District following a Notice of Motion from Leas-Chathaoirleach for the MD Cllr Dinny Gould (IND).
Cllr Gould had called for the entrance to Castle Pier to be reviewed, saying business people were unable to access the pier because cars were parking at the entrance.
He also called for a barrier to be erected at the entrance to help prevent inappropriate parking.
In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Alan Kennelly said Clare County Council intended to erect signage at the pier shortly advising motorists that it is a working pier and that access is limited to those with legitimate business at the facility.
He said that if traffic-related issues persisted after the signs were installed, the matter could be reviewed with a view to introducing measures to prevent inappropriate parking along the pier.
However, Mr Kennelly said a barrier across what is effectively a public road could prove problematic.
He also said restricting access exclusively to those with business on the pier could be difficult to implement and enforce in practice.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Gould said businesses were unable to access their premises because of the parking issue, which had been a “big problem over the summer”.
Mr Kennelly said he had met with business owners and that the council was going to put up signs and see how the situation developed.
He said a barrier could be difficult because the pier was a public road, but added that the council would see what could be done.
Mr Kennelly said a barrier would be “a last port of call”.
Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), who seconded the motion, agreed with the approach and said the council was “on the right track”.
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