Plans to widen the junction where New Road meets Rock Road have taken a step forward.

It is hoped to build a feeder lane on to Rock Road by cutting back a portion of the front lawn of Killarney Garda Station.

The Killarney Advertiser understands that a deal in principle has been agreed with Killarney Gardai but the land is owned by the Office of Public Works and the final decision rests with this Government agency.

A detailed plan on the junction is expected to be published by the end of March following a request for an update by Cllr Brendan Cronin.

“Following on from previous meetings, Kerry County Council has prepared plans to assist in the traffic flow along the New Road. Consultation has taken place with An Garda Síochána, Bus Éireann and the school principals. We are currently finalising the plan and once finalised will be presented to [elected] members before the end of March.”

Meanwhile there have been calls for clarity regarding the part-time one way system that is in place on New Road at school drop-off and pick-up times.

A one-way system operates at certain times during the day which forces motorists to approach New Road from the Port Road side and prevents motorists entering the busy school street from Rock Road.

However, since the beginning of the new school year last September some schools have changed their starting and finishing times and these times do not correspond with the times set out by Kerry County Council to allow the temporary one-way street arrangement.

To bring both the Council’s and schools’ timings into line would require a public consultation.