South Kerry Greenway: 'Farmers want to move it on'
Up to 100 landowners attended a meeting in relation to the South Kerry Greenway project last evening (Thursday, June 11).
The meeting in Foilmore Community Centre, organised by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), was addressed by Kerry County Council chief executive, Fearghal Reidy.
Bridget Fitzgerald, acting director of services Kerry County Council and Paul Curry senior engineer Kerry County Council were also in attendance.
Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are currently working on the 27km greenway from Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen, which was first mooted in 2011.
An Bord Pleanála gave the project the green light in November 2020, along with an accompanying compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the lands required.
In February 2022, the Supreme Court rejected two legal challenges paving 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 CPO for the project.
South Kerry Greenway
Kerry IFA chair Jason Fleming told Agriland the meeting provided "a good lively debate on the main issues on the ground in relation to the greenway".
"The finish line is in sight and everyone wants this over and done with now and open for business. Everyone is supporting the greenway and the value the greenway brings to south Kerry as a whole.
"But the big problem that we have is farmers feel that we're being left behind in relation to agreed accommodation works, payments and timelines.
"When the ground works begin, farmers don't know how long the ground works are going to continue for, be it six weeks, six months or three or four years," he said.
Fleming was joined at the top table by Paul O'Brien, IFA infrastructure project team chair and Kevin Kinsella, infrastructural advisor to the IFA.
Landowners voiced their concerns about how the greenway project was progressing at a meeting around this time last year.
While many spoke again last night about issues around payments, engagement and the use of CPO, Fleming said "there seemed to be a different mindset".
"Farmers want to move it on. The council showed intent with the likes of the CEO coming out to Foilmore Community Centre to engage and talk with farmers," he said.
Fleming also noted that Fearghal Reidy, Paul Curry and Bridget Fitzgerald have also been out on the ground meeting farmers.
"They have come out on site to see the main issues on the ground, which is good to see," he said.
The Kerry IFA chair believes that the biggest problem in relation to engagement with the council is "there's too many layers in between to get to the people that can make the decisions".
Engagement
Fleming feels there is "a massive appetite" from Kerry County Council to "move this on".
"I'd be hoping now that over the next few weeks that this will be pushed on and moved on properly, that farmers will get paid and get accommodation works.
"It starts from the bottom up, the small accommodation works, the likes of fencing, gates, pens and so on. Then move on to farmers getting paid and timelines," he said.
The Kerry IFA chair noted there are cases where sections of the greenway have been opened and farmers are still not paid.
In a broader sense, Fleming stressed the importance of engagement with farmers and landowners before any greenway project is started.
"If you have paper work and an agreement made with the county council and TII as a farmer before any sod is turned, everyone knows where they're standing, and we're not running into the problems we had with South Kerry Greenway," he said.
Foilmore farmer Christy McDonnell told Agriland that construction of the greenway across his land has begun, but he is still awaiting agreement on payment and accomodation works.
He believes that Kerry County Council now have "no choice but to listen to the people".
The farmer said he hopes that the outcome of last night's meeting "will be positive and not another box-ticking exercise".
Council
Kerry County Council chief executive Fearghal Reidy welcomed the opportunity to engage with landowners and members of the IFA.
"Kerry County Council will continue to engage with all stakeholders and landowners as we progress this transformative recreational amenity.
"The recent opening of another section of the greenway – the third section to open within six months – means that almost 10km of the walking and cycling amenity is open to the public.
"According to consultants, PWC, the greenway will attract between 232,250 and 428,000 visits per annum, potentially creating between 300 and 540 jobs. In short, this is the equivalent to building a large factory in south Kerry," he said.
"Kerry County Council has worked proactively with landowners to provide accommodation works.
"In addition, the council and our agents will continue to engage on payments to landowners, which is a two-way process, and I would encourage everyone to engage with the process.
"In the meantime, we will continue to work with communities to optimise the economic, health and community benefits of the greenway," Reidy added.
