The majority of residents in the County Clare town of Ennis have put their backing behind an immediate form of pedestrianisation.

Data from Clare County Council's Ennis pedestrianisation survey found that 71.2% of all respondents would like to see some form of pedestrianisation 'immediately', 20.3% in the 'medium/long term dependent on provision of new infrastructure/service' and 8.5% indicated 'no-never'.

A total of 1,796 completed surveys were received, with the data providing the Council with an overview of the profiles of a large sample of individuals using the town centre, how they navigate it, as well as their preferences in relation to potential pedestrianisation. 

Potential pedestrianisation is part of a suite of measures to enhance accessibility and improve the town centre experience. Measures that have already been implemented to create a pedestrian-friendly town centre include the installation of pedestrian crossings, drop kerbs, footpath repairs and enhancement, public lighting, redesigning of disabled car parking spaces as well as the Ennis public realm enhancement works at Parnell Street and the laneways and bow-ways. These are part of extensive programmes of investment in Ennis by both central Government and Clare County Council, to enhance the County Town, from an accessibility, environmental and age-friendly perspective.

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The focus of Ennis Municipal District is to make Ennis an attractive, safe place to live, work, visit and socialise while maximising its economic and tourism potential. 

The information from this survey will be fed into future transport planning for the town including the formulation of the 'Ennis Mobility Plan' which will examine all forms of modal transport for the town centre and its environs. Clare County Council would like to sincerely thank all those who took the time to participate in this survey.

The Mayor of Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Ann Norton, commented: "This survey, which was widely advertised and could be completed online or in paper format, allowed all members of the community to have their say on potential pedestrianisation in Ennis town centre."

Leonore O'Neill, Senior Executive Officer, Ennis Municipal District, added: "We are delighted with the high level of engagement with the survey and wish to thank all individuals, representative groups and Ennis MD councillors who helped to create awareness of the survey. This feedback from the public will be a vital element in the design of future transport plans for the town."