New safety measures planned at ‘extremely bad’ Ennis junction - Clare Echo

SAFETY works at Lynch’s Cross are set to include resurfacing and new road markings, with Clare County Council also considering rumble strips at the junction.

The update came at the September meeting of the Ennis Municipal District following a Notice of Motion from Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), who raised concerns about continued accidents at Finnanagh/Frank Lynch’s Cross on the Quin Road.

In his motion, Cllr Murphy said work had already been carried out at the junction, including the re-lining of road markings and new advance warning signage.

He called for Ennis Municipal District to engage with An Garda Síochána to obtain historical accident data for the location, with a view to supporting a funding application for a safety scheme aimed at improving sight-lines and general safety.

He also called for rumble strips to be installed on the approaches from Doora and the Tulla Road in the short term.

In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Tom Mellett said Lynch’s Cross was included in this year’s Schedule of Municipal District Works and was listed for a surface overlay.

“The works will include improved road surfacing and road markings,” he said.

Mr Mellett said the Ennis MD had also recently improved safety at the junction through road markings, driver feedback signs and reflective studs.

“Any further initiatives including rumble strips will be considered where increased safety can be achieved, subject to funding,” he said.

“As part of this process, we are actively engaging with An Garda Síochána around any proposed measures as outlined.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Murphy said it was not the first time the junction had been raised and that works had been carried out there over the years.

He said a family member who lives nearby would contact him whenever there was an incident and said there had been an accident at the junction as recently as the morning before the meeting.

Cllr Murphy also referred to a recent collision involving a driver travelling from Quin towards Ennis.

He said the driver had been struck by a vehicle, which caused his vehicle to spin three times, and that a similar incident had happened to him around 10 years ago.

Cllr Murphy said the main safety concern was traffic approaching from the Doora side, with some motorists “shooting” through the junction.

He said rumble strips could act as a warning to drivers and described the sight-lines at the junction as “extremely bad”.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF), who seconded the motion, said Lynch’s Cross was “dangerous any time of day” and pointed to the number of accidents that had occurred there in recent years.

Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) said he had seen the area himself and described it as “quite dangerous”, adding that “anything which could enhance safety should be considered.”

Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) said the road was becoming busier, referencing increased traffic associated with the nearby plaza.

Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) and Deputy Mayor Cllr Mary Howard (FG) also supported the motion.

Cllr Howard said Lynch’s Cross had been raised at council meetings for “many, many years”.

She said areas where there had been a number of accidents needed to be addressed.

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