Up to 70 of the main tourist route in Kerry is seriously is sub-standard, it has been claimed.
Cllr Michael Cahill wants Kerry County Council to send a deputation to meet with Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland officials to urgently seek funding for the Ring of Kerry road.
“I have been hammering this issue for some time now and I will continue to do so until such time as this hugely important route is brought up to a proper standard,” he said.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
Cllr Cahill said many of the streets and footpaths in towns and villages such as Killorglin, Caherciveen and Glenbeigh are in shocking condition.
“The Ring of Kerry is critical to the economy of our county. It’s critical to the residents of our county, it’s critical to our tourism Industry, it’s critical to our farming community and it’s critical to all visitors to our county.
“It’s also critical to everyone travelling to and from work but, above all else, it is critical to the health and safety of all road users,” Cllr Cahill added.
He said the Ring of Kerry is as important to Kerry as the M50 is to Dublin as it is Ireland’s premier tourist route.
“Visitors come to our county from all over the world to witness the majestic views our county has to offer. It is a coastal route and yet you cannot see the ocean for prolonged sections due to overgrown bushes and trees, despite the fact that you are driving right beside it,” he said.
“It’s embarrassing for all of us, it’s embarrassing for our county, it’s embarrassing for the council, it’s embarrassing for the Minister for Transport it is embarrassing for Transport Infrastructure Ireland who are the funding authority,” Cllr Cahill added.
He said given the significance of the route, representatives from all six municipal district councils to go on the deputation and this was unanimously agreed.
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