’Highly dangerous’ Ring of Kerry junction needs traffic measures says councillor

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor has highlighted a “highly dangerous” junction along the Ring of Kerry route, urging that traffic calming measures be put in place.

Councillor Maura Healy-Rae raised the Beaufort Bridge junction on the N72 at a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting, illustrating the challenges posed to drivers at the turn off.

Figures from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) show there was an average of 6,800 cars along the busy section of road adjacent to Beaufort Bridge, higher than the section of the N72 between Killarney and Rathmore.

“Speed is the issue here,” said Cllr Healy-Rae of the 100km/h stretch, “its highly dangerous”.

Councillor Brendan Cronin added that the Beaufort Bridge junction had been on the agenda “repeatedly”, with “numerous serious traffic and safety issues” identified at the turn off.

“The hard turn-off is an extremely difficult junction to negotiate,” he said.

“It is one of the most awkward to do it safely.”

The council said speed surveys had been undertaken at this location and collision data has been obtained from TII. They said a feasibility report is being prepared and is expected to be submitted to the TII for approval in Q1 of 2026.

Cllr Cronin accepted the answer but emphasised that the issues needed to be rectified “sooner rather than later”.

He also raised the issue of the upgrade of the N72 from Gap Cross past Beaufort Bridge.

The council said works on this section of the N72 would be funded by TII who are expected to announce this year’s allocations in early February.

No money was allocated by the TII to this stretch last year.