The National Transport Authority has announced details of the allocation of funding for cycling infrastructure through the country.
It has been hailed as the first ever active travel investment programme for rural Ireland and the submissions to the NTA had to come through the local authorities.
Kerry, as in Killarney, Tralee, Listowel, Kenmare, Killorglin and Dingle all got a shake of the over €5.5M in allocations but not a brass farthing came Castleisland’s way.
The allocations were distributed as shown in the graph and text below and includes €0.5 million for the development of Active Travel / Mobility Plans for Tralee, Killarney and Listowel
Killarney Town Centre
€1m for the extension of the cycle lanes on the Rock Road Killarney, from the Cleeny Roundabout to the junction with High Street, and for which planning was approved by the Killarney MD last Wednesday.
€0.9m for the Chestnut drive / Gaelscoil Road from the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre to the junction with the Deerpark Road junction, including upgrade of the junction.
€550k for the completion of the Flesk Walkway / Cycleway which is currently under construction.
Tralee Town
€850k towards provision of segregated cycle lanes on Bracker O’Reagan Road.
€180k towards the widening and enhancement of the Tralee Town Park paths to improve access to the schools.
€100k to commence the construction of the extension of the Canal Walk/Cycleway to connect with the town centre.
€515k to upgrade three junctions in Tralee to provide for improved pedestrian and cyclist facilities on the Oakpark Road / Killeen Road Junction; Racecourses Road / Oakpark Road junction and Balloonagh Junction.
Listowel Town Centre
€450k towards the construction of off road cyclelane from the Church Road Safety Scheme at Gortinard to the Bridge road Safety Scheme through the Town Park, which will also connect the Greenway to the Trail head.
Kenmare
€300k towards the provision of footpaths on the Drommevane Road in Kenmare to connect housing estates at Kilmurry to the schools/ town centre.
Killorglin
€250k towards the provision of footpaths on the Sunhill Road to connect housing estates to the school / town centre
Dingle
€50k to progress plans for the upgrading of pedestrian facilities on Green Street
Further details on the projects will be provided by the MD Engineers at local MD meetings.
Cllr. Farrelly’s Representations
Cllr. Charlie Farrelly, independent member of the Castleisland and Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District Council, has expressed his utter disappointment at the news of the allocation.
He has made representations to Kerry County Council in the hope of furthering a number of small but locally significant projects in the Cordal and Castleisland areas.
However, on the evidence presented by the results above, his representations have fallen on stony ground – and not for the first time as you will see from his letter below.
The area in general, the entitlements and needs of its people, have simply gone unheeded yet again.
Cllr. Farrelly’s representation to Ms. Breda Mulryan, Kerry County Council Executive Engineer is as follows:
Hi Breda,
Further to our telephone conversation on Friday evening re the announcement by Minister for transport Eamon Ryan TD and Minister for state Hildegrade Naughton of major funding of €50 for a Walking and Cycling fund for Towns &Villages in Ireland.
At our Municipal District meeting on September 16 I had a motion on the agenda to extend and complete the footpath along the L2017 at Moanmore Castleisland and my motion asked if funding had been applied for under the July Government Stimulus package.
I was told that his proposed extension of the footpath on Pound Road, Castleisland to the speed limit can be considered for inclusion in any future plan that may be called for by the Department.
As this is a major funding announcement I would urge both you and Kerry Co Council to include this small stretch of footpath at Moanmore in a detail funding application.
Pedestrian Bridge at Barrack Street
That should also include a badly needed pedestrian bridge at Barrack Street which would connect the town with the hugely popular playground and busy shopping area thoroughfare for pedestrians.
Cordal Footpath
As I also discussed with you Breda I would sincerely hope that funding for a badly needed footpath in Cordal Village from the church to Tobair na Bfhion Cemetery.
I believe that this funding announcement would be ideally suited for an application for this footpath which is of critical importance with regards to Health and Safety.
No Luck with Clár
After being unsuccessful in two applications for Clár funding I would sincerely hope that you will leave no stone unturned to have this Cordal project included in a very strong funding application and to also include the two Castleisland, important and very necessary projects.
Electoral Area Left Behind
I trust Breda that you do appreciate that the Castleisland Electoral area has been left behind with regards the allocation of funding for recreational activities like cycling and walking.
I look forward to receiving your reply.
Yours Sincerely,
Cllr. Charlie Farrelly.
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