Sir, – The Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare are apparently the most visited tourist attraction in Ireland. Traffic coming to it from the east and south has to go through Ennistymon and pass the notorious bottleneck formed by the right-angle junction bringing traffic past Blake’s Corner on to the road to the popular towns of Lahinch, Doolin, Liscannor and on to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.
The town road is narrow and Blake’s Corner is the scene of daily drama and entertainment as huge tour buses and large trucks attempt to negotiate and edge their way around the right-angle corner. The problem has grown as the popularity of the west coast destinations increases. Tailbacks of up to 500 metres are now common and represent a huge waste of fuel and time, as well as causing environmental damage from the exhaust of idling cars and heavy vehicles in the town of Ennistymon.
The authorities have long recognised that the problem exists and plans are being made to construct a new bridge over the river Inagh. I understand that the matter is under examination at An Bord Pleanála and that some properties have been compulsorily purchased to facilitate the new route. The process has barely started and will take many years before the construction can even begin. There are many town, county and State agencies involved and to an outsider it appears that little urgency is being exercised in progressing the construction of this critical piece of infrastructure.
Tourism is a crucial element in the economy of the southwest and the road in question is critical in allowing tourist traffic to access these important natural features and beauty spots.
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Quite apart from these considerations, this cavalier attitude may give tourists the impression that wasting their valuable time is a matter of no importance or concern to our authorities.
When dealing with crucial national assets, surely central government must be given greater powers to override inter-agency local administrative bottlenecks and move this project into a higher level of priority to reflect the national importance of improving our tourism assets.
I would urge the Government to encourage the relevant agencies to prioritise and expedite the development of this project. – Yours, etc,
Dr ROBERT D NOLAN,
Alderley Edge,
Cheshire, UK.