Madam, – Clare County Council’s plan to demolish buildings at Blake’s Corner represents the worst option to help alleviate the chronic summer traffic congestion in the area (Home News, December 28th).
Much of the traffic is en route to Lahinch, Doolin, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, and doesn’t need to come into Ennistymon. The logical solution must be to create a bypass south of the town to enable the much-wanted tourist traffic to reach its goal without impacting on the special ambience of Ennistymon and its famous shop fronts.
Apart from destroying the protected structures at Blake’s Corner, the proposed roundabout at the junction of the main street and the bridge would represent very little improvement in the total road capacity and leave the town further impoverished of original artefacts.
It is hoped that the Department of the Environment, Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council, the Heritage Council and An Taisce will be able to persuade Clare County Council of the shortcomings of this proposal. Access to significant tourist attractions must be seen from a central Government standpoint and not allowed to be driven by the short-term cash-flow issues of one county council. – Yours, etc,