PLANS for the development of what has been described as “a world class” walkway and cycle route in Killarney have now reached a stage where everything is ready to go once the required funding is secured, it has been confirmed.
The new facility, running from Ross Road to Flesk Bridge, will provide a continuous off-road route between the national park at Knockreer and the park at Muckross.
The land required for the project was purchased in 2016, the necessary Part 8 planning process was undertaken and the required public consultation phase concluded in December of 2017.
Killarney Town Manager, Angela McAllen, this week declared: “We have brought it to the point now that all we need is money and, hopefully, we can advance it in 2019”.
She said the walkway and cycle route was “shovel ready” and the next stage to be undertaken was the grant application process.
The route will run through the townlands of Woodlawn, Bunrower, Scrahane, and Demesne – including a section of the Maurice O’Donoghue Memorial Park – and the proposed works will consist of the construction of a 2.5m wide cycleway and walkway with boundary walls and fences and all associated ancillary and accommodation works.
A total of public 11 submissions or observations were received within the prescribed public consultation period, including correspondence from residents of Priory Paddocks, Castle Falls, Flesk Road and The Priory as well as Cyclist.ie, An Taisce, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Kerry County Council officials said eight of the 11 submissions specifically supported the development and while others sought assurances, no objections were received.
Previously, the Killarney Town Manager said the proposed development was in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
“This enables us to build a world class facility that will greatly enhance Killarney,” she said, adding that in linking the parks, it will effectively give access to 20 miles of off-road cycleway.
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