Irish Minister of State and Clare TD, Tony Killeen has expressed confidence that work on a long sought-after roundabout on the Tulla Road in Ennis will commence in 2008.

Following a submission to Ennis Town Council on behalf of residents of Oakleigh Woods and The Willows, Minister Killeen has learned that a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process concerning the proposed development will shortly get underway.

"The local authority states that a CPO process was recently initiated but had to be abandoned due to an unforeseen technicality. A much more comprehensive CPO process is about to get underway and there should be an outcome from this by mid-2008. The Council has informed me that the development of the roundabout will be given priority should there be a successful outcome to the CPO process," explained Minister Killeen.

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He added: "Residents of Oakleigh Woods and The Willows have expressed concern over the safety implications of large numbers of vehicles accessing the main Tulla Road from various housing estates. The development of a roundabout, they say, would improve road safety, as well as the overall traffic flow in the locality."

In a letter to Minister Killeen, the Ennis Town Engineer wrote: "It is a project that we regard as urgent and I can assure you that I share the frustration of the residents in the area because of the delays and obstacles, which we are encountering."

"I am glad that Ennis Town Council realises the importance of providing this roundabout and I look forward to a successful CPO process being conducted during the first half of 2008," concluded the Minister.

(JM)