Killarney councillors have hit out at the local authority, which chose not to widen a national primary road over “environmental constraints”.
Independent councillor Brendan Cronin asked the council what had happened to plans to widen the N72 between the Port Road junction to Lackabane village.
At the recent Municipal District meeting, he and other councillors criticised Transport Infrastructure Ireland for what they called failed promises.
Cllr Cronin asked what the position is on resurfacing, widening, and fencing of the N72 Killarney to Killorglin road, from the Port Road junction past Liebherr to Lackabane village.
He said TII made previous commitments which fell through.
The council’s reply was that the potential to widen the current road has been assessed and found to be not feasible having regard to environmental constraints.
It said a Pavement Asset Renewal and Repair Report is currently being prepared, identifying surface improvements between the Ballydowney Roundabout and the Golden Nugget.
The council said this will be submitted to the TII for approval in the coming weeks, and then approval and funding will be needed to start the first phase of the improvements.
Cllr Cronin said there are dangerous trees within striking distance of the public road there, which have the potential to come down and kill people in their cars.
He said they were also told about a pilot study to bring down the number of deer on the road; he said he doesn’t know how the deer feel about it but it’s clearly not working.
Several other councillors also criticised the response, as they said it was their understanding fencing would be erected along this stretch to deal with the danger of deer crossing.
They also criticised the speed at which the pilot projects for deer were being rolled out.
Municipal District engineer, Brian O’Connor, said the environmental constraints related to a bigger project which included a footpath and cycle lane.
The council said two separate pilot projects using new technologies for controlling deer and a driver alert system are being developed at the site using consultants.
Mr O’Connor said these are progressing, but not at the pace they anticipated.
