Action needed to ease traffic chaos

A WARNING of worsening traffic congestion on the fast-growing eastern side of Killarney was sounded yesterday.

A busy roundabout where the main roads from Cork and Tralee converge is at the heart of the problem area, which also has a busy shopping centre and industrial estate.

Killarney FF councillor Brian O’Leary said some local residents were virtual prisoners in their homes at certain hours of the day, especially between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

“Because of the backed-up traffic, people are having difficulty in getting into and out of their homes,” he said.

“This problem has been growing over a fairly short period of time. It’s time the council came up with proposals to alleviate it.”

Mr O’Leary also said the problem would get worse when the annual tourist season got underway.

Independent councillor Niall O’Callaghan said the road infrastructure was not keeping pace with major developments on that side of Killarney.

“A lot more developments are on stream and we need to put plans in place urgently. We should be planning five to 10 years ahead,” he went on.

He called on council officials to hold an information evening for residents to inform people of plans and how they tied in with the town masterplan.

Town clerk Michael O’Leary said the officials were aware of the situation and were considering a two-lane entrance to the roundabout as an interim measure.

Action has also been called to ease hold-ups at Lissivigeen junction, outside Killarney, where the Mallow road joins the main Cork/Killarney road.