Calls for action for rural Kerry to get broadband

A CALL for speedy action to ensure rural Kerry gets a proper broadband internet service was made yesterday by Independent Cllr Brendan Cronin.

He said while the main towns were being serviced, people in rural areas were being left behind and experiencing the frustration of long delays in accessing the internet.

Work on laying the cable for broadband has been completed in Killarney town and is under way in Tralee.

Mr Cronin paid tribute to the contractors for the neat way they went about their work in Killarney regarding the cutting and subsequent restoration of the road.

“It was an example to all of us how such work should be done,” he said.

Six Kerry towns are included in phase two of the regional broadband programme — Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Castleisland, Dingle and Kenmare.

The initial construction phase is expected to last 22 weeks and will involve the laying of ducts in about24km of trenching in Tralee, Killarney and Listowel

These towns are getting a fibre-based broadband network while Dingle, Kenmare and Castleisland will receive a wireless local access solution.

A council spokesman said they had not yet been told wireless access would be provided for the next tier of Kerry towns, including Killorglin and Caherciveen.

Meanwhile, road reinstatement work carried out by Kerry County Council, after completing various works, has been described as unacceptable.

FF councillor John Brassil called on the council to ensure reinstatement was completed to the highest standard.

Council engineers said for varying reasons, some road cuttings may fail, or compact, and remedial action had to be taken.

Mr Brassil claimed some of the work being carried out was sub-standard.

Sinn Féin Cllr Toireasa Ferris protested at the “disgraceful condition” of a 1,000-metre stretch of road serving a popular beach at Banna and local residents.