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OVER the past fortnight, Killarney Advertiser highlighted the parking and congestion crux in Killarney during the busy July/August period. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – this is a problem that has been ongoing for years.

One solution mooted was a designated car park with a flat rate per day. For instance, in Venice, this is €29, which most visitors are happy to pay knowing their car will be safe. It also takes the pressure off traffic flow.

Car parks could be zoned with a premium and cheaper car parks clearly flagged in a transparent manner.

Bottlenecks need to be quantified and tackled head on; do we know exactly how many car parking spaces could be needed?

There does seem to be a chink of light at the end of the (traffic-jammed) tunnel with talks in place on a through road from the High Street junction to Dunnes Stores and also discussions ongoing in relation to a multi-storey car park and relief road changes.

Relief road updates

OUR relief roads do not seem to be solving the traffic congestion in summer.

A direct access point for jarveys into Killarney National Park was proposed recently.

This would improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on Mission Road, according to Independent Councillor Maura Healy-Rae who raised the issue at the recent meeting of Killarney Municipal District.

Cllr Healy-Rae said a location near the Plaza, across from the Ha Ha, would be ideal. Kerry County Council said it would contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service to discuss the matter.

The necessity for an outer relief road from Lissivigeen to Castlelough was also highlighted at the meeting by Cllr Healy-Rae. There have been numerous representations and deputations about this issue, she pointed out.

“Previously, KCC said they were considering alternative routes which could provide relief in the meantime,” said Cllr Maura Healy-Rae. “I asked that the Woodlawn Road would not be specified as an alternative route in the interests of health and safety.”

Kerry County Council said in order for Transport Infrastructure Ireland to consider the Killarney Outer Bypass, it must be included on the National Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021. In the meantime, Kerry County Council National Road Design Office is examining alternative routes which could alleviate congestion between the N22 and the N71. The routes are at pre-feasibility stage and will only be disclosed when sufficient appraisal has been carried out to deem them feasible.