PLANS to develop five major urban cycle lanes in Killarney got the green light today following a marathon online meeting of Killarney Municipal District Council.
The seven councillors endorsed the proposals, on a unanimous vote, with two amendments to the extensive council manager’s report which was debated for just short of five hours.
The five cycle paths that will now be developed are located at:
- Rock Road – From the car park northward to N22 roundabout at Cleeny
- Upper Lewis Road – From the St Anne’s Road junction to just south of Bridgefield
- Park Road – From the Park Road roundabout to the Franciscan Friary junction
- Deerpark Road – From the Park Road junction to Gaelscoil Road junction
- Gaelscoil Road – From the Deerpark Road to Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre
Today’s vote follows a very extensive Part VIII consultation process and of the 94 submissions received, 79 welcomed the proposals or requested minor amendments in the vicinity of their own properties.
In terms of amendments, plans to locate a cycle path inside a row of mature trees on a green area at Ardshanavooley estate have been altered with the result that the cycleway will now be developed on the actual road, where an existing pavement is in place.
A new footpath will be laid on the elevated space outside the cluster of trees and a railing will be placed on the wall to prevent people from falling on to the roadway. It will be necessary to divert a small section of the new 2m pavement inside the trees near the pedestrian entrance to the estate, from in front of the first four houses to the nearby fuel station.
The second amendment involved a commitment by council officials to proceed with a Part VIII planning process to provide off-street parking for some residents of Allman’s Terrace who currently do not have vehicular access to their property, providing there is no legal prohibition to the amendment.
Councillors voted to reject another proposed amendment calling for 30m of a proposed two-lane cycle path directly in front of a private residence and a business premises on Upper Lewis Road, adjacent to Fitzgerald Stadium, to be developed instead as a shared pathway and cycleway.
That proposal was tabled by Cllr Niall Kelleher, seconded by Cllr Niall O’Callaghan and supported by Cllr Maura Healy-Rae but Mayor Brendan Cronin and Cllrs Michael Gleeson, Donal Grady and Marie Moloney voted against the amendment and it was defeated on a 4-3 margin.
The existing boundary wall of Fitzgerald Stadium – which was described as being in a dangerous condition – will be knocked and replaced by a more suitable structure but the ornate entrance gates – directly opposite the entrance to Deerpark Pitch and Putt Club – are subject to a preservation order and will be integrated into the plans.
A call from Cllr Niall O’Callaghan to build a six-foot wall around a green area at Chestnut Drive, to ensure the safety of children at play when the new cycle path is built alongside it, will be examined by officials following concerns that such a structure could lead to anti-social behaviour and the possibility of setting a precedent concerning green spaces.
The council said the provision of suitable screening at that location will be examined as part of an overall safety plan taking in the area around Gaelscoil Faithleann.
It was also agreed that the local authority engineer spearheading the project, David Doyle, will fully engage with business and property owners along Park Road who expressed several concerns in submissions.
Bollards and kerb drops will be included along the cycle path to facilitate delivery vehicles and specific provision will be made to allow ambulances and blood collection vehicles to get access to a medical practice on the road.
The meeting heard that there is statutory provision under the Road Traffic Acts for emergency vehicles to park on a cycleway if responding to an emergency,
The places will also see the provision of four upgraded pedestrian crossings at the junction linking Countess Road, Park Road and Deerpark Road.
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