Listowel road works delayed as government agencies pass the buck

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor says they are “caught in the middle” between agencies for pavement upgrade funding in Listowel.

Councillor Jimmy Moloney said he was frustrated by the piecemeal answers given by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Kerry County Council (KCC) over upgrade works on the N69.

He acknowledged that dealing with the TII is “very difficult”, given councillors are rarely able to meet with them.

TII had replied to his request for a timeline for the pavement upgrade on the N69 by Cahirdown in Listowel, stating that in fact that the buck lay with KCC, who were not prioritising because of competing demands.

At a meeting last week, Cllr Moloney urged that the improvements be prioritised before any active travel scheme proposals in the area.

The council said it shared Cllr Moloney’s frustration and had made an application to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to prioritise pavement resurfacing ahead of any active travel scheme proposals.

While funding had been cut back this year, the council said it expected a raise next year due to the new minister for transport’s aspirations.