Public consultation on extension to South Kerry Greenway
A period of public consultation is underway on proposed route options for a new greenway between Caherciveen and Reenard in south Co. Kerry.
Kerry County Council, in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, is seeking to develop the 5km amenity which will be an extension of the South Kerry Greenway.
The local authority said the route represents "an important addition to the Kingdom of Kerry Greenways".
Work is currently underway on the 27km South Kerry Greenway which will link Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen.
Permission was originally sought for a 31km route to include Renard, but the An Bord Pleanála decided to omit two sections of the scheme when it gave the project the green light in November 2020.
The public's views are now being sought on the various proposed route options for the new greenway.
A public information evening will take place at Cahersiveen Library today (Thursday, October 17) between 3:00p.m and 8:00p.m.
Members of the project team will be available at the information event to meet with interested parties to discuss the project, the proposed options, and the next steps in the development of the project.
Kerry County Council said that the proposed route options being considered for the 5km route include:
- Valentia Estuary Coastal;
- Old Valencia Railway Line;
- Local Road L7528;
- Old Valentia Railway Line;
- N70 and Local Road L4005;
- Greenfield Offline Option
The council said that the project team would like to hear views on the proposed options and any issues they would like the team to consider such as constraints, opportunities and key features along the proposed routes.
This information will inform a decision on and the development of the preferred, or final, option.
Detailed plans will be published on the Kerry County Council website today where submissions and observations can be made until Friday, November 15.
Copies of the plans will also be available at Kerry County Council offices in Cahersiveen and Tralee and at the Kerry National Roads Office in Castleisland.
Meanwhile, Kerry County Councillor and Fianna Fáil general election candidate Michael Cahill has called for negotiations between Kerry County Council and landowners along the South Kerry Greenway to be expedited.
Cllr Cahill, who is a long time supporter of the greenway, said that "there are a small number of landowners whose agreement is still being sought".
"I would appeal to everybody involved to engage in the negotiation process and with a little goodwill and generosity, all parties can reach a satisfactory agreement for themselves.
"Landowners must be provided with proper access and accommodation works that suit their property and circumstances and I also believe that they must be adequately compensated.
"I strongly urge those negotiating on behalf of Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to be generous in this regard," he said.
It is estimated that around 180 land plots will be needed for the South Kerry Greenway, which involves 170 landowners.
In February 2022, the Supreme Court rejected two legal challenges relating to the project which paved the way for the greenway to proceed.
One of the challenges was taken by a group of landowners who were opposed to the use of Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the project
