REPEATED CRITICISM with the “sub-standard” motorway exits in Co Clare has been voiced.
Speaking at the July meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) affirmed that the junction exits of the M18 in Co Clare were “not meeting the standards required, they sub-standard compared with all other exits”.
He stated, “This Council should demand change, I would urge the Chief Executive to be urgent in taking action on this you don’t want blood on your hands”.
Junctions 13 (Ennis/Tulla Rd), 14 (Barefield) and 15 (Crusheen) were described as “a real danger on a continuous basis” by the Maghera native. “We don’t want a tragedy or an accident, it needs a matter of urgency to get TII in here”.
Chief Executive of the Council, Pat Dowling said he was aware of the “sensitivity and gravity” of the matter. He committed to continue raising the concerns with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
Prior to this February was the most recent occasion when Cllr Hayes flagged the matter in the Council Chamber. “I have requested a number of times for TII to review safety aspects at Tulla and Barefield, when you look at other exits around the country these are not fit for use. I have brought this up a number of times, lorries are struggling to take the bend”.
Ennis representative, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) outlined that he opposed speed limit plans by junction 13 due to the quality of speed ramps.
In February 2019, TII confirmed that they initiated a safety review of the three junctions following a motion by Cllr Hayes at the December 2018 meeting of the County Council.
