LINKING the village of Ruan with a walking route via Dromore Woods has been labelled as “a worthy goal”.
Progression of a walking route from Ruan village to Port Cross via Dromore Wood was sought by Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) at the May meeting of the West Clare Municipal District.
Restoration improvements are planned for the L-8232 this year “which would form part of this proposed walking route,” senior executive engineer Enda MacNamara explained. “The works will provide a new surface for walkers going to and from Dromore Woods. The West Clare MD office will work with Cllr Killeen to determine if any other viable works could proceed to help provide a walking route from Ruan to Dromore Wood,” he outlined.
Cllr Killeen flagged that the village is 2.3km from Dromore Wood, “1.7km of that 2.3km squeeze is due for upgrade in 2022, that upgrade can allow for improvements for walkers and cyclists to use the road, it leaves 0.7km to the entrance and 0.3km of that is restricted from fine stone walls, the remainder could be looked at”. He added, “it would benefit all locals in the area and visitors”.
Seconding the motion, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) commended the efforts regarding Active Travel projects in the county. He said the pedestrian crossing in Ruan which links with the local primary school was an example of the “progressive and strategic projects brought forward” under Active Travel. He said, “Linking the village with Dromore Wood is a worthy goal to have, you open up a whole new world by joining with Dromore Wood”.
