Kerry drivers taking to footpaths on both sides of busy town street, says councillor

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Cars are driving on pavements on both sides of a busy street in a Kerry town causing numerous safety hazards, according to a local councillor.

Councillor Charlie Farrelly said Mart Lane in Castleisland is inundated with traffic, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up times, and cars are driving along the walkways to evade blockages.

At a recent Castleisland/Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District meeting, Cllr Farrelly asked what immediate plans Kerry County Council (KCC) had to prevent drivers from using public footpaths.

He said there were previous plans to introduce a one-way system before 2024’s local elections but claimed they were halted because they may have proved unpopular.

Cllr Farrelly said the issue was once more a ‘hot topic’ and asked KCC was a timeline on solutions to the problem.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone is hurt,” he warned.

A council officer said they were carrying out a survey across the whole town to establish how various traffic issues could be addressed in Castleisland.

They advised they would have to go through the public consultation process for this approach and would expect proposals to be put before the public late next year.

“There is insufficient width available locally to introduce physical measures that could improve the situation,” KCC said.

However, they confirmed that a one-way system had been identified on Old Chapel Lane and Mart Road.

In the meantime, they pledged to talk to the local Gardai to assist with safety concerns.