Concern has been voiced that the only way a new bridge will finally be sanctioned to replace a notorious structure in Listry is if the existing bridge collapses.
The situation with Listry Bridge – on the main Killarney to Milltown and Dingle road – was raised by Cllr Brendan Cronn who said he has been campaigning on the issue for the past 25 years but a dangerous lag, approaching the bridge from Killarney, on the creamery side of the road, still remains.
Cllr Conin’s comments came when it emerged that the latest allocation of discretionary maintenance grant funding sets aside €75,000 to appoint a consultant to develop the R563 Listry Bridge project through to the completion of the statutory stage
“We have had drawings and plans sent to the department time and again and we are still waiting. It’s like the game of rugby with a long kick to touch,” he complained.
“It’s a 200-year-old horse and cart bridge that has been an eyesore for decades,” he added.
Mayor of Killarney, CllrNiall Kelleher, said a little bit of money to do something with the bridge seems to be provided every year but the major works required have still not been undertaken.
”Are we just going to see more photographs of people standing there around election time and nothing being done?” he asked.
Kerry County Council Director of Roads and Transportation, Smart Travel and Public Realm, Frank Hartnett, assured councillors that he has actually seen a drawing of a proposed new bridge and he said it is at least positive that it is getting some allocation which allows the local authority to drive the project forward.
He said as long as there is a commitment from the department, there will be a bridge provided once the required statutory process has been put in place.
Cllr Cronin, meanwhile, welcomed an allocation of €96,475 for the construction of a pedestrian crossing on Mission Road, from Beech Road car park to the entrance to Killarney House and Gardens.
“This is a critically important public safety project which is badly needed,” he said.
Cllr Cronin also made specific reference to funding provided for the road from Agahdoe Cross to Knockasarnett Cross (€327,810), the route from Lawlor’s Cross to Lawlor’s Cross to Rathcomane Cross (€246,800) and the road from Faha Cross to Laharn Cross.
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(€171,360).
