Residents to be surveyed on north Kerry trail proposal
The door-to-door survey will be done in advance of a meeting on the trail, in Listowel, on Saturday evening, and teams of volunteers will call to houses along the 9km route from Listowel to the Kerry/Limerick border.
Plans to develop the Great Southern Trail, on the disused Limerick/Tralee rail line, are meeting with stiff opposition from farmers on the Kerry side who have formed the North Kerry Abandoned Rail Line Action Group.
Some landowners are claiming squatters’ rights to the property, but CIÉ is adamant that it is the sole owner of the line.
A 39km stretch of the Great Southern Trail has already been developed into a greenway in Co Limerick. It goes from Rathkeale via Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale to the Kerry/Limerick border near Kilmorna.
However, the action group has been preventing any further work taking place beyond Kilmorna.
The focus of the meeting will be to share information and hear views from supporters, public representatives and adjoining landowners who have concerns.
A spokesman for the trail developers said the objecting landowners had been invited to attend so that their concerns can be listened to and addressed.
All elected representatives in north Kerry have also been invited to the meeting at Listowel Family Resource Centre, John B Keane Rd, Listowel.
Detailed maps of the proposed 9km extension from Kilmorna to Listowel will be displayed.
Other issues to be discussed will include the legal position regarding CIÉ ownership, the fibre optic cable running along the line, squatters’ rights, rights of way and privacy issues.
Also on the agenda will be the role of Limerick County Council in the development in Co Limerick, and the current position regarding funding, Kerry County Council and North East Kerry Development in relation to the proposed extension of the trail into Listowel.
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