Mid Kerry village risks becoming ‘death trap’ when new Greenway opens

There have been calls for traffic-calming measures and improved pedestrian and cycle infrastructure to make Glenbeigh ‘greenway ready’ – but it seems residents could be left waiting for some time for action.

There were mixed results for a deputation brought to Friday’s Kenmare Municipal District meeting by Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Cahill. Fr Kieran O’Sullivan and Brian Sugrue made the case for several projects at the vibrant village, but while they heard Glenbeigh is very much on Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) radar, action won’t take place next year, and might not be underway even by 2025.

Fr O’Sullivan spoke of the speed of traffic passing the Presbytery at Curraheen Little. He wants the speed limit reduced to 60km/h at Curraheen Little and 50km/h entering the village, and he said drivers don’t see speed signage on time.

While ‘smart signs’ alerting drivers to their speed have been installed in the area, one is at a national school and only operates at drop-off and collection times. He feels the other sign should be at the entrance to the village, not in the middle of the village.

He called for the extension of lighting and footpath from Curraheen, through the village, and he warned that too many tourists do not yield, on either side of Caragh Bridge.

Speaking on Brian Sugrue’s behalf, Cllr Cahill described heart-stopping attempts by people attempting to cross the road in Glenbeigh, where traffic can be “heavy and fast”. Mr Sugrue wants pedestrian crossings installed, at the very least at the post office and supermarket. Though the South Kerry Greenway will open imminently, he said the village does not have cycle lanes, and upgrades are needed at the Behy Bridge. He called for full public lighting from a cross to the former Falcon Inn, a pedestrian route often used by Ukrainian refugees. Cllr Cahill said TII “need to pull up their socks” and called for Glenbeigh to be “greenway ready”, or it risks becoming a “death trap”.

As funding for the N70 through Glenbeigh and greenways both come under TII’s remit, Council engineer Padraig Teahan said TII is very focussed on Glenbeigh and wants to carry out an “active-travel audit” there. He said a total redesign of the thoroughfare is necessary to make Glenbeigh pedestrian- and cycle-friendly, and road-pavement, footpath, lighting, and pedestrian-crossing works are needed.

He said the Kenmare MD is keen on carrying out improvements between Rossbeigh and Glenbeigh, and funding options for such a project will be examined. Speed-limit changes, meanwhile, would come under TII’s remit, he added.

Mr Teahan explained, however, that Glenbeigh could be looking at a three-to-five-year timeline for development, planning, and commencement of works required in the area.

Cllr Cahill welcomed the TII’s interest in Glenbeigh but added that, it seems, “they don’t understand the urgency” of the situation.

“There’ll be chaos next summer when the first section of the South Kerry Greenway opens,” he warned, calling on the MD to write to and lobby TII and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan on the matter. This proposal was seconded by Fianna Fáil colleague and Kenmare MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Norma Moriarty.

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