Project ‘last chance’ to improve key tourist route in Kerry

There are hopes work can soon commence on upgrading one of the country’s top tourist routes, a project that would also include cycleways.

A campaign to improve the N86 Tralee to Dingle road has been going on for more than 30 years and a recent High Court decision overturning An Bord Pleanála’s refusal of planning permission for the €65m project has been welcomed in the area.

The work would involve widening and straightening a 28km stretch which is dangerous in parts, with upwards of 10 traffic accident fatalities.

Kerry mayor Seamus Cosai Fitzgerald yesterday said the project was “the last and only chance” to improve a critical piece of infrastructure in the Dingle Peninsula.

“A better road is vitally important for tourism, fishing, farming and service industries. Everyone here has long since realised the need for good road access to the peninsula,” he said.

Kerry County Council is awaiting a further ruling from Mr Justice Peter Charleton, due in the High Court, on May 2.

Mayor Fitzgerald, also a FG councillor in the Dingle area, said they were hoping for “some kind of positive direction” from the court that would enable work on the road to proceed without undue delay.

The court could give a number of options, according to the mayor, who said it could suggest to the different parties that they work out a compromise, or that the whole planning process should begin again.

“We (council) want to proceed with the road with, possibly, some tightening up on the land-take from people along the route,” the mayor told the Irish Examiner.

A 4km section of the Dingle route, with walking and cycling lanes, has already been completed, near Annascaul, and he said that was very successful.

“This work has helped open up the scenery and is also a lot safer. There’s widespread support for the road plan and it has huge potential,” he said.

An Taisce, meanwhile is examining the High Court judgment and a spokesman highlighted the importance of preserving the natural scenery.

Cyclist.ie, an organisation representing leisure cyclists, objected to the plan, claiming the design of the proposed national cycling network was incorrect and suggesting cycle lanes should be kept well away from high speed traffic.

An Bord Pleanála turned down the application because of “excessive intervention” on the landscape.

The N86 upgrading is part of a Tourism Ireland plan to include cycleways on tourist routes along the west and south coasts.

Funding of €3.4m was recently announced for the development of a greenway from Glenbeigh to Caherciveen, Co Kerry, and €2m for a greenway from Galway city to Moycullen, both on disused railway lines.