Stationary Water Points Set Up In County Clare

Clare County Council is this evening arranging to provide water from static standpipes at strategic locations in Ennis and Shannon.

Demand for water in Clare has increased by approximately 20 per cent with most of the Council’s water treatment plants at or near production capacity. The ongoing cold spell of weather has led to water pipes been frozen at various locations, particularly within private housing schemes and individual properties, resulting in water shortages.

Tankers are delivering water throughout Ennis and Shannon and this will continue for the rest of the evening until 7pm. In addition static standpipes will provide water at strategic locations in Ennis and Shannon and will be in operation from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow Sunday and until further notice.

Ennis
• Gort Road Industrial Estate
• Cahercalla Estate, Kilrush Road
• White Park, Cappahard, Tulla Road
• Clarecastle Church
Shannon
• Fire Station
• Shannon Lodge Hotel, Ballycasey
• Drumgeely Shops near the Crossroads Inn

The Council has today established a dedicated number (087-6377770) to deal with water related queries. The helpline will be in operation until 8pm this evening and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow Sunday. Members of the public who have non-water emergencies should call 087-4169496.

Over 550 kilometres of County Clare’s road network are being salted and gritted on a daily basis. Clare County Council said that that National Primary and Secondary Roads, along with heavily trafficked Regional routes, will continue to be treated as freezing conditions are expected to last into the early days of next week. The Council confirmed that it has sufficient rock salt supplies at present to continue current gritting operations until early next week.

The Council is advising road users to exercise extreme caution on all routes, especially secondary roads. Members of the public are also advised to avoid walking on frozen water surfaces such as lakes and ponds. People are reminded to check on older people, people living alone, people with disabilities and other vulnerable people, as the cold spell continues. Residents in housing estates are encouraged to clear their driveways and footpaths.

Meanwhile, the Council has delivered supplies of quarry grit to 48 locations throughout the County. It has reported that supplies are being heavily used by many communities to treat local roads and footpaths.

Locations of Grit Supplies:

East Clare

- GAA Pitch Killaloe
- Garronboy Chapel
- Kealderra Road, O'Callaghans Mills
- Clonloumn Cross, O'Callaghans Mills
- Killuran Cemetery, O'Callaghans Mills
- Fermoyle Cross, R465
- De Courceys Bridge, Griffin’s Cross, Clonlara
- Car Park, Truagh Church, R471
- Car Park, Killanena Church
- Car Park, Feakle Graveyard
- Quarry, Glendree Cross, Feakle
- Quarry, Noonans Cross, Flagmount
- Car Park, Lower Main Street, Tulla

West Clare

- Old Creamery, Coolmeen Road, Kildysart
- Side road adjacent to Talty's Joinery, Lissycasey
- Marina Car Park, Kilrush
- Old Creamery, Cooraclare
- Car Park, Kilmihil
- East End Car Park, Kilkee
- The Square, Carrigaholt
- Sean Crowleys yard opposite L & M Keating, Kilmihil
- Bogdale House, Lisroe, Kilmaley
- Boree Log, Lissycasey
- Coore Church

North Clare

- GAA Pitch Car Park, Miltown Malbay
- GAA Pitch Car Park, Inagh
- Kilnaboy Grave Yard, Chip Dump
- GAA Pitch Car Park, Carron
- Church Car Park, Ballyvaughan
- Church Car Park, Ruan
- Public Car Park, Lisdoonvarna
- Crag Car Park, Lahinch
- The Square, Kilfenora
- Ardnaculla, Ennistymon

Shannon Area and South Clare

- Lemenagh Cemetery
- Entrance to Cratloe Woods on Gallows Hill, Cratloe
- Entrance to Forestry at Coolycasey Cross on the Sixmilebridge to Clonlara Road
- Oatfield Church off the Sixmilebridge to Clonlara Road

Ennis West

- Caherbannagh Creamery
- Fork of road at Bushypark
- Community Centre Car Park, Kilmaley
- Community Centre, Kilnamona
- Behind Considine’s Pub, Barefield

Ennis East

- Ballyea Church
- Clarecastle Car Park
- Quin-Latoon Road at Maigh Dara Housing Estate
- Clooney Church

Members of the public seeking advice pertaining to non-water emergencies should contact their Local Area Office during office hours (9am-5pm). For out-of-office hours emergencies, persons may contact the Council’s emergency telephone 087-4169496. Clare County Council’s website www.clarecoco.ie also is updated on a daily basis.

Local Area Office contact details:
• Ennis area office - (065) 6869534
• Ennistymon area office - (065) 7071017
• Kilrush area office - (065) 9051047
• Scariff area office - (061) 640815
• Shannon area office - (061) 362319
• Clare County Council Corporate Headquarters - (065) 6846337

Council Provides Grit Supplies To Local Communities In Clare

Clare County Council has confirmed it is making supplies of quarry grit available to communities across the County.

Supplies are being provided at 42 separate locations throughout Clare (see list below).

Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer, Clare County Council, stated: “We are scheduled to receive fresh supplies of rock salt from Limerick this evening. This will enable us to continue to treat our main priority routes and keep the county moving as much as possible.”

He added; “There is a huge amount of work involved in keeping our roads and communities as safe as possible for motorists and pedestrians, and we would therefore appeal to the public to utilise the grit supplies being provided today for the purpose of gritting local blackspots on secondary routes. We would advise road users to exercise extreme caution on all routes, especially secondary roads.”

Over 550 kilometres of County Clare’s road network have been salted and gritted on a daily basis since the outbreak of the current cold period of weather in mid-December 2009.

Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy paid tribute to outdoor staff of Clare County Council who have been involved in gritting operations since mid December. Mayor Mulcahy noted that many of the gritting crews were also involved in the flood relief efforts in County Clare in the weeks leading up to the wintry spell.

The Clare Local Authorities, including Clare Civil Defence, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, are working with An Garda Síochána and the Health Services Executive to ensure a co-ordinated approach for dealing with the various issues. Links also have been established with Met Éireann, AA Roadwatch, RSA, the Department of Transport and the National Roads Authority to ensure that up-to-date information is made available to the Local Authorities.

Meanwhile, the extended period of cold weather has led to a 20 per cent increase in demand in all the Council’s water supplies. Most of the Council’s water treatment plants are at or near production capacity. Customers are requested to deal with leaks and bursts immediately, and to conserve supplies as far as possible. Water is rationed in some areas.

Members of the public seeking advice pertaining to roads/water services related issues should contact their Local Area Office during office hours (9am-5pm). For out-of-office hours emergencies, persons may contact the Council’s 24-hour emergency telephone 087-4169496. Clare County Council’s website www.clarecoco.ie also is updated on a daily basis.

Local Area Office contact details:
• Ennis area office - (065) 6869534
• Ennistymon area office - (065) 7071017
• Kilrush area office - (065) 9051047
• Scariff area office - (061) 640815
• Shannon area office - (061) 362319
• Clare County Council Corporate Headquarters - (065) 6846337

Locations of Grit Supplies:

East Clare

- GAA Pitch Killaloe
- Garronboy Chapel
- Kealderra Road, O'Callaghans Mills
- Clonloumn Cross, O'Callaghans Mills
- Killuran Cemetery, O'Callaghans Mills
- Fermoyle Cross, R465
- De Courceys Bridge, Griffins Cross, Clonlara
- Car Park, Truagh Church, R471
- Car Park, Killanena Church
- Car Park, Feakle Graveyard
- Quarry, Glendree Cross, Feakle
- Quarry, Noonans Cross, Flagmount
- Car Park, Lower Main Street, Tulla

West Clare

- Old Creamery, Coolmeen Road, Kildysart
- Side road adjacent to Talty's Joinery, Lissycasey
- Marina Car Park, Kilrush
- Old Creamery, Cooraclare
- Car Park, Kilmihil
- East End Car Park, Kilkee
- The Square, Carrigaholt
- Sean Crowleys yard opposite L & M Keating, Kilmihil
- Bogdale House, Lisroe, Kilmaley
- Boree Log, Lissycasey
- Coore Church

North Clare

- GAA Pitch Car Park, Miltown Malbay
- GAA Pitch Car Park, Inagh
- Kilnaboy Grave Yard, Chip Dump
- GAA Pitch Car Park, Carron
- Church Car Park, Ballyvaughan
- Church Car Park, Ruan
- Public Car Park, Lisdoonvarna
- Crag Car Park, Lahinch
- The Square, Kilfenora
- Ardnaculla, Ennistymon

Shannon Area and South Clare

- Leamaneigh Cemetery
- Entrance to Cratloe Woods on Gallows Hill, Cratloe
- Entrance to Forestry at Coolycasey Cross on the Sixmilebridge to Clonlara Road
- Oatfield Church off the Sixmilebridge to Clonlara Road

Ennis West

- Caherbannagh Creamery
- Fork of road at Bushypark
- Community Centre Car Park, Kilmaley
- Community Centre, Kilnamona
- Behind Considine’s Pub, Barefield

Ennis East

- Ballyea Church
- Clarecastle Car Park
- Quin-Latoon Road at Maigh Dara Housing Estate
- Clooney Church

Limerick County Council Responds To Wintry Conditions

Limerick County Council confirmed today that 20 pc (700 kilometres) of the local road network, accounting for approximately 70-80 pc of the traffic in the county, is being salted on a daily basis.

The local authority said it is giving priority to treating the National Primary and Secondary routes, the more heavily trafficked Regional Roads and some Local Primary Roads. Ten gritting trucks have been in operation since the cold spell began on the 18th December. In addition, area engineers are continuing to deal with local hardship and special needs requirements on a case by case basis as they arise. Limerick County Council has sufficient salt stocks for a further four to five days salting at current rates.

Limerick County Council Roads and Water Services Sections have met with the Gardai, Civil Defence, Fire Service, HSE Ambulance Service and agreed protocols for dealing with particular issues of access in the event of medical or other emergencies during the severe weather conditions. There are also established links with Met Éireann, AA Roadwatch, RSA, Bus Éireann, Department of Transport and the National Roads Authority to ensure that up to date information is available.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has issued safety advice as the cold weather is likely to continue and this advice should be heeded.

Meanwhile the Council has reported a significant increase in the usage of water supplies throughout County Limerick during the current period of cold weather.

According to Donal Brennan, Senior Engineer: “In order to assist Limerick County Council in continuing to provide an uninterrupted supply of water, the public are asked to check their properties for leaking or burst water connections and to have these repaired or turned off as quickly as possible. In particular customers are asked to check vacant properties, outside taps, cattle troughs, etc. to ensure that no loss of water is occurring from these sources.”

He added: “Limerick County Council is aware that a number of customers have experienced difficulties with frozen service pipes. The Council acknowledges the spirit of co-operation between households in providing water to neighbours whose pipes have frozen. Meanwhile, we would ask members of the public to call on neighbours, family and friends of older people to ensure that the elderly, particularly those living alone, are kept warm and have sufficient food during the current period of cold weather.”

Advice on dealing with frozen water pipes may be found on Limerick County Council’s website www.lcc.ie.