RESIDENTS of a busy Killarney estate trying to gain access to and from their homes are being hindered by a back-up of traffic entering and exiting a retail centre located right at the entrance.
Representatives of Pinewood Estate Residents’ Association attended a meeting of Killarney Municipal District Council to highlight their concerns and they reported that the main entrance to the estate is regularly impeded by vehicles queuing to go into or backing out from the shops.
They stressed that they have absolutely no problem with the location of the retail park but they asked council officials to consider implementing an alternative traffic system that might possibly utilise the car park to the rear of the shops.
Residents’ spokesman, Lee Coffey, said a survey conducted by residents revealed that 165 cars entered the area and 175 left over a two-hour period.
“People don’t take any notice of yellow boxes,” he said.
The residents also raised concerns about the back-up of water in drains in the estate, overgrown trees that need to be trimmed and dangerous footpaths that could pose a danger to elderly residents.
Mr Coffey also asked that a feasibility study be carried out with a view to seeking funding to upgrade the run down basketball court in the estate as the children have nothing to do there.
Cllr Niall O’Callaghan said it is over 16 years since the last basketball nets were erected on the court.
Residents’ Association member, Eileen Mayse, also asked if the council could make representations to have a community garda assigned to the estate.
Cllr Marie Moloney, who arranged the deputation, said: “There is not a lot of trouble there and a community garda wouldn’t be too busy but there would be no harm in having one liaise with the residents.”
Cllr Moloney said Pinewood is one of the oldest estates in Killarney and, in some cases, it’s nearly 47 years since any work was done to the footpaths.
Cllr Niall Kelleher said there was a new owner of the retail park at the Pinewood entrance and he would be more than willing to engage with the residents and the council.
Killarney Municipal District Engineer, John Ahern, said the council will examine the drainage and overhanging trees issued and carry out a survey to determine the condition of the footpaths but, he advised, there is a very limited budget available.
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