Although councillors voiced major concerns about difficulties likely to be experienced by drivers of large vehicles turning off at the Gap Cross, coming mainly from the Fossa village but also from the Killorglin side, a major new traffic calming plan has been approved for the N72 road at Fossa, on the main Killarney-Killorglin route.
The aim of the €2 million project – for which funding has yet to be sanctioned – is to provide traffic calming and enhanced facilities for vulnerable road users along the N72 between the Golden Nugget junction and the Gap Cross junction.
The 1.5km development, proposed by Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and taking in the towlands of Fossa, Dromin, Maulagh and Lackabane, would incorporate:
- A raised two-way shared use cycle and pedestrian facility on the south side of the N72 between the two outlined junctions.
- A raised two-way shared cycle use and pedestrian facility on the north side of the road from the western 60kph limit sign to the Gap Cross junction and another from the 60kph sign to the existing bus stop in Fossa village.
- A reduction to approximately 6.0m for the mainline carriageway width of the N72.
- Removal of the existing traffic calming measures at either side of the village.
- Provision of a controlled pedestrian crossing at Fossa National School.
- Extending the existing public lighting for the full extent of the proposal.
- All associated ancillary and accommodation works.
- Upgrading of the N72/L4049 junction at Gap Cross.
- The stone wall, gates and pillars outside Fossa Community Centre will be widened and offset towards the road by approximately 11m.
Following a public consultation process and a public meeting in Fossa, a total of 28 written submissions or observations were received and responded to by council officials.
The communications received covered matters such as light pollution, the possible removal of poles and luminaries to create a more aesthetically pleasing option, landscaping, drainage and flooding and safety when drivers are exiting on to the N22 from estates like Dromin and Forest Lake Cottages.
Other issues raised included a possible extension of existing restricted speed limit areas, consistent cycling infrastructure, the possibility of providing a signal push-button controlled crossing at the school and the management of sight distance.
Following a protracted and frequently heated debate at a meeting of Killarney Municipal District Council this Wednesday, officials agreed to amend the proposal to change the school pedestrian crossing to a push-button traffic lights model but they stressed that alterations to the proposed road design at the Gap Cross would not be possible.
Councillors said they were concerned that buses, tractors with 17-bale trailers or other large vehicles might experience difficulties turning in at the Gap Cross as they need clear swing line to do so.
But Killarney Municipal District engineer, John Ahern, said there was more than adequate room and the design would enable the vehicles to “sweep around the bend easily”.
“If they can’t make those turns in their vehicles they shouldn’t be in those vehicles,” he said although his remark described as uncalled for by a number of councillors.
Acting Kerry County Council senior engineer, Padraig Teahan, told the meeting that while concessions could be made on changing the pedestrian crossing as well as other alterations concerning a footpath, the remainder of the design would have to be in accordance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland national guidelines.
Submitting an alternative proposal might not be funded and it could put the whole scheme at risk, he warned.
“The project has got through the feasibility stage and the design stage so it’s well advanced at this point in time. There is no tweaking left available and no room for adjustments,” Mr Teahan said.
“This is a national road and the council is obliged to comply with the design proposed,” he added, assuring councillors that the junction at the Gap Cross is “very well designed”.
The meeting heard that while €400,000 had been advanced for the design stage of the overall project, a decision on funding for the €2 million project will not be made until December.
To defer the matter and go back to Transport Infrastructure Ireland seeking further assurances would be a risk.
Acting Killarney Municipal District Manager, John Breen, said it simply wasn’t an option for the council to adopt a proposal of this kind that goes against national policy.
“We cannot go redesigning national standards. Amendments must fit with national guidelines,” he said.
“We don’t have the authority or the forum to change national design standards, notwithstanding what members may wish to do,” Mr Breen added.
Although Cllr Niall Kelleher proposed that a vote on the matter be deferred for a number of weeks, to seek assurances regarding the Gap Cross, Cllr Brendan Cronin said the board of management at Fossa National School and residents in the area have been waiting for close on 15 years for action and it had gone on long enough.
“They won’t congratulate us if we defer it. We won’t be clapped on the back for putting it back four or five weeks. Maybe we should take stock,” he said.
Cllr Maura Healy-Rae said the upgrading of the proposed zebra crossing to a signalled model, with traffic lights, will ensure that the most vulnerable, young children will be able to walk and cycle to school safely.
“I am delighted for staff, students and parents at the school who have campaigned for greater safety at this location and I was happy to bring a deputation to a council meeting,”she said.
A vote was eventually taken to approve the chief executive’s rPart 8ecommendations for the N72 project, subject to alterations to footpath plans and the provision of a push-button pedestrian crossing at the school. The proposal was passed anonymously.
On a deputation to Killarney Municipal District Council in March of 2019, a delegation from Fossa said the situation at the school gates had reached crisis point and lives were being put at risk at opening and closing time.
Because of a lack of parking spaces, families had no option but to cross the very busy road on their way to and from school.
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