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THE Mayor of Killarney Municipal District, Councillor Niall Kelleher, has drawn up a petition calling for safety at the Lewis Road/Killarney Bypass junction.

Killarney Advertiser is campaigning for safety at the junction which has been the scene of several very serious accidents in recent years, a number of which have been fatal. “Road users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, are living in fear anytime they have to access the busy junction,” said Mayor Kelleher.

There were two accidents last week in the space of just three days at the accident blackspot and Mayor Niall Kelleher’s petition has attracted over 100 signatures in two hours this afternoon alone.

Cllr Kelleher has confirmed he will present the petition to the Minister for Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland on behalf of the town by the middle of this month.

“As Mayor of Killarney and on behalf of residents of and visitors to the town, I am calling on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, TD, and officials of Transport Infrastructure Ireland to take immediate action to prevent future loss of life or serious injury at the traffic junction linking Lewis Road in Killarney with the Bypass Road,” said Cllr Kelleher.

“Kerry County Council and, in particular, Killarney Municipal District Council, have made repeated representations to Ministers and TII officials on this matter and yet, nothing has been done to rectify the situation. Our calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears and we urge those responsible to do what they are being paid to do.

“This situation is not tolerable and it cannot be allowed to continue. On behalf of the undersigned people with an interest in Killarney, I demand urgent action.” You can sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/minister-shane-ross-td-upgrade-the-junction-at-lewis-rd-on-the-killarney-bypass/nftexp/ex16/v6/819358342?recruiter=819358342&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_content=ex16%3Av6
 

 
Above: Politicians crossing the road at the busy Lewis Road junction in a photo as part of Killarney Advertiser's campaign for safety on the Killarney By-Pass road. From left are Cllr Michael Gleeson, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, Senator Paul Coghlan, Cllr John Sheahan, Cllr Donal Grady, Cllr Niall Kelleher, Cllr Brendan Cronin, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, Deputy Martin Ferris, Cllr John Joe Culloty and local resident John Lyne. Pic: Eamonn Keogh