Kerry bridge measures urged ‘before someone dies’

A warning has been given that somebody will be killed at a dangerous bridge on one of the country’s busiest tourist routes unless safety measures are upgraded there.

The narrow bridge at Listry, on the Killarney to Dingle road, is used by thousands of tourist buses and cars, whose drivers are not familiar with the bridge and are often involved in accidents there.

Kerry County Council said there are no funds available for widening the bridge, but Cllr Brendan Cronin (Ind) called for sensor-operated traffic lights to warn drivers “before someone gets killed”.

“Nearly all the accidents have the same pattern: Cars meeting in the middle of the bridge and not enough room to pass. It’s lethal for pedestrians and cyclists,” he said.

The issue was highlighted by a Listry deputation at a meeting of Killarney Municipal Authority which heard the 134m-long bridge was less than 4m wide at its narrowest point.

Patie Sugrue, who lives near the bridge, said there were two or three accidents every week and the approach from the Dingle side was particularly dangerous.

Another local, John Wrenn, said regular users of the road were well aware of the hazards, but people not familiar with it often got into difficulties on the bridge.

Senior executive engineer Paul Neary said the council would review signage and continue to look for funding to get the bridge widened.