*Before and After views of the Active Travel scheme for the Tulla Road in Ennis, County Clare.
AN ACTIVE TRAVEL scheme in Ennis which is expected to cost in the region of €5m has received the backing of elected members and now pedals forward to detailed design, procurement, and construction stage.
Under the scheme, it is proposed to upgrade the existing cycling infrastructure along a 2km section of the R352 regional road between St. Senan’s Road and Hillcrest junction through the provision of traffic calming measures, including vertically segregated cycle tracks, shared surfaces, and raised cyclist and pedestrian crossings.
To date, €1.8m in funding has been secured for the scheme which forms part of an Active Travel allocation of €4.5 million received by Clare County Council from the National Transport Authority (NTA) in February 2023. The funding will allow for the progression of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure across County Clare.
Addressing the July meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, executive engineer Conor McDonagh noted that there had been four months of public consultation and that it was one of four identified Active Travel funded cycle schemes in Ennis. In encouraging councillors to back the scheme, he stated its importance in giving an “indication to the NTA that we are serious about using Active Travel funding”.
Importance of moving forward with the scheme was stressed by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) with support also issued by Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF). “The residents on the Tulla Rd that I’ve spoken to are delighted with this, young people will be able to cycle into secondary school. We’ve had traffic issues on the Tulla Rd and this is very welcome,” said Cllr Mary Howard (FG).
Eight submissions in relation to the scheme were received, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) observed. He detailed that €1.8m in funding had been secured but that the project was likely to cost between €4-5m. A resident of the Tulla Rd, he queried if the contract would allow for the free flow of traffic off and onto the M18.
Looking at the bigger picture of future cycling schemes on the Tulla Rd, Lahinch Rd and feeding into Clarecastle and the Clareabbey Roundabout is the way to go commented Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) who added, “we need to get a modal shift”.
Clarifying aspects on the costing, McDonagh said the €1.8m was an allocation to get the project started. “It won’t be a rush to construction, the initial cost estimates are higher but it’s important for us and necessary us to carry out cost estimates in compliance with NTA guidelines, the costs will have to be reviewed but are in the region of what you have mentioned,” he said in response to Cllr Flynn. He added that traffic management will be assessed and admitted it was not feasible to cause huge traffic delays during construction.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) commented, “The Tulla Road area of Ennis has experienced a significant population rise during the past 10 to 15 years which has consequently resulted in increased traffic congestion, particularly during peak periods. Developing and further improving the cycle network and introducing other traffic calming measures is key to ensuring improved road safety and to encouraging people to consider cycling to work or school. I congratulate the Active Travel Team’s work in delivering such necessary infrastructure”.
Director of Economic Development and the Ennis MD, Carmel Kirby stated, “The purpose of this scheme is to improve safety and continuity for cyclists and the response from the public throughout the public consultation process has been very positive. Getting more people to consider walking or cycling instead of the car is a key pillar of the Active Travel Programme”.
Director Kirby advised that the Council was making substantial progress on the delivery of a public bus service for the town. “The NTA and Clare County Council have recently finalised the preferred routes for the Ennis Town Bus Service, which will traverse Ennis from the Lahinch Road to the Tulla Road and from Clarecastle to Ballymaley via a town centre terminus at Friar’s Walk, with scope for the development of an additional route from Doora Industrial Estate to and from the town centre. The Ennis Town Bus Service is scheduled for commencement during the first quarter of 2025”.
Acting senior engineer with Clare County Counil, Anne O’Sullivan confirmed that the Active Travel team will shortly formally request permission from the NTA to proceed through Gateway 4 and commence Phase 5 Detailed Design and Procurement.
