Some landowners not consulted on adventurous lakeland tourism trail plan
The Lough Lein Trail, currently at the planning stage, has the potential to attract thousands of more tourists to Killarney, Co Kerry.
However, local Independent councillor Brendan Cronin voiced concerns that a number of landowners and householders with property on the route had not yet been consulted.
“It’s very important to bring all of the people with us on this,” he said, stressing that he supported the plan.
“The walk can have a big impact on some people and on their property, and officials should sit down and speak with them to explain exactly what’s involved here before full details of the route are finalised.
“The route will run very close to some people’s property and there are privacy and safety issues to be addressed.”
The trail, which will pass through some of Killarney’s most famous scenic attractions and encircle two of the area’s three renowned lakes, Lough Lein and Muckross Lake, was approved two and a half years ago.
Funding was secured from Fáilte Ireland for the detailed design and planning of the trail, being developed by Kerry County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, local business and community groups.
Consultants are preparing a trail options’ report, trail design, environmental reports and the design of bridges.
A council spokesman said design work was progressing well and, once completed, there would be an application for approval, in 2015, to put the trail in place and give more details on the route.
Area council manager John Breen said a steering committee would shortly be considering a full report defining the direction of the trail — which had now been narrowed down.
“Discussions will then take place with those affected by the design,” said Mr Breen.
South Kerry Independent Alliance councillor Michael Gleeson requested that the project would be kept high on the agenda and progressed with haste.
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