Improved road essential, as beauty alone will not sustain Dingle

The decision by An Taisce, in November, 2014, to seek a judicial review of the proposed improvement work on the section of the N86 road from Dingle to Camp has saddened, disappointed, and angered the majority of people living on the Dingle Peninsula and those who visit it regularly.

Their insistence on bringing this project back before the court jeopardises Road Improvement 2000. If this were to happen, it would be a huge setback for one of the most isolated areas in the country.

In October, 2010, Kerry County Council sought advice and direction from An Bord Pleanála on how to progress the upgrading of the N86. Kerry County Council have adhered to the advice and direction given by An Bord Pleanála.

The subsequent planning process was open and transparent. Issues in connection with the Environmental Impact Assessment aspect were not raised over the three-year period. The question has to be asked why An Taisce has waited until now to raise them.

The N86, from Tralee to Dingle, carries a high volume of motor traffic, cyclists and walkers, especially during the tourist season. Due to bends and its width, it is extremely dangerous in many places.

Over the past ten years, 75 collisions have been recorded on this route, 25 people have been seriously injured, 79 have suffered minor injuries and, sadly, eight people have been fatally injured.

The proposed upgrade will have no major impact on the landscape, the environment, or the views that people enjoy on their visits to and from the peninsula. It will have minimal impact on the native flora and fauna.

Most of the upgrade will take place along the existing road.

Previous and present generations of Corca Dhuibhne/The Dingle Peninsula have maintained and enhanced the rich heritage, culture, tradition agus an teanga Gaelinne. They worked hard to protect and preserve their environment and were always conscious that they lived in an area that the National Geographic called “the most beautiful place on Earth”.

However, beauty alone will not sustain a community. Connectivity is vital to ensuring a stable and vibrant population into the future. A much-improved N86 is our lifeline to this future.

Once again, we repeat our call to An Taisce to withdraw from this judicial review.

An Taisce led’ thoil, fág an Bóthar.

Cllr Séamus Cosaí Fitzgerald

Droichead Bán,

Glens,

Dingle.

Co Kerry