The R477, or Coast Road, is one of the most popular scenic drives in Ireland. It is a narrow road, with limited parking opportunities, restricted by topography, land ownership/access issues and Special Area of Conservation (SPC) status. Aside from its use as a scenic drive by tourist traffic (coach, camper van and car), it is also used as a parking area by amenity clubs (sea angling, rock climbing, surfing, dolphin watching, bird watching, botany, walking, cycling, caving). This has led to serious traffic congestion problems, traffic accidents and the erosion of important ecological areas.
The Burren Connect Project commissioned AP McCarthy Planning Consultants to carry out extensive research and consultation with all relevant stakeholders (Landowners, NPWS, Clare County Council, Amenity Groups, Local Business, Coach Operators) and to deliver:
• A traffic management strategy that provides recommendations on signage, parking areas, one way traffic flows, local transport alternatives, shuttle systems, deterrents/enforcements, by-laws implementation, litter control, boundary maintenance, access to sea shore and heritage/nature sites.
• A written statement, plus plans and drawings for signage, parking areas and any other recommended infrastructural developments or alterations.
• An outline of the resources, budgets and timescales necessary for the implementation of the strategy.
Public meetings were held in Ballyvaghan and Doolin, and a number of meetings were also held with landowners, coach operators and Clare County Council. Negotiations are currently ongoing with landowners on access to private lands to develop designated parking areas, passing bays and controlled access to amenity sites used for fishing, rock-climbing, diving, etc.
This report will provide the basis for future visitor management strategies for this much visited and vulnerable area.
