Call to put traffic plan in place before power station gets go-ahead

HEAVY traffic generated by the building of a power station and an accompanying LNG (liquefied natural gas) importing terminal in Tarbert, Co Kerry, could cause serious congestion in the village, an oral planning hearing was told in Listowel yesterday.

Upwards of 500 construction jobs are expected to be provided in what will be one of the biggest investments ever undertaken in the north Kerry and west Limerick areas. But Tarbert Development Association, which is supporting the project, called for a traffic management plan to be prepared in advance of construction work on the €500 million project. “There would be major concern about what might happen during the construction phase if such a plan was not in place,” said chairwoman Joan Murphy.

Energy multi-national Endesa – which is seeking planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for a gas-fired electricity generating station on the site of the old Tarbert ESB station – has pledged to consult with the community at all stages of the project.