New car park site is sought for Kenmare

KMEG AND KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL PLAN FOR THE FUTURE IN KENMARE

KENMARE Marketing and Events Group (KMEG) and Kerry County Council are hoping to develop a new car park for the town, if plans to purchase the former net factory on Railway Road come to fruition.

The plan is to buy the former factory and develop the lands for a town amenity including car parking spaces. The same site would also be used as a permanent base for Kenmare Men’s Shed and a potential sensory garden.

The public and local councillors are now being asked to get behind the potential plan. Funds are needed to purchase the site, but national funding is being sought to aid the purchase.

Some have criticised the location of the potential car park as the area is already traffic-heavy due to school traffic and the nearby shopping location.

The Kenmare bypass also enters the town close to this location.

However, KMEG said this week that parking is vital for the town and that this is the only option available.

“This is an amazing site and should belong to the town. It may not be ideal, but it is the only site, and it can be used for a variety of town projects as well as parking,” said a spokesperson, Sarah Durkin.

“We are very hopeful that we could get this land.”

The site is close to St John’s National School and Kenmare Family Resource Centre, so it could also be used as parking by them.

KMEG will meet in September to discuss the issue, and it is hoped to have a public meeting to discuss the plans.