A public meeting is being held in Kilmaley tonight to discuss the impact of months of road closures between Miltown Malbay and Ennis.
Works will get underway next month to connect a local windfarm to the electricity network, resulting in the round-the clock closure of sections of the R474.
But fears have been expressed over the impact on local communities.
Works which will see a high-voltage cable being laid underground connecting a local wind farm to the electricity network will get underway next month.
It will result in the round-the clock closure of sections of the R474 until May 13th, though further works are planned right up until December.
Fears have been expressed that this will lead to major traffic diruption for commuters and devastation for local businesses.
Laurance O'Brien runs two shops in Kilmaley, employing 9 people.
Connolly resident Caroline Keane is another who fears the closures will have far-reaching consequences.
She's outlined the potential impact on her family.
A spokesperson for West Clare Renewable Energy, who is behind the works, has told Clare FM that the company has aquired permissions for the laying and connecting of the cable and hopes to conduct the works in a safe and timely way.
Meanwhile, Kilmaley Councillor Tom McNamara says the firm have worked closely with Council Engineers to minimise the impact on locals, and that the R474 will be open in the peak season of mid-June to mid-September.
Councillor Mc Namara says developers have to pay a charge of 650 thousand euro which he hopes will ultimately see the road improved.
A public meeting on the matter is taking place in Kilmaley Community Hall from 8.30pm tonight.
A public consultation process is ongoing, with members of the public invited to make submissions ahead of Friday's deadline.
