KCC assessing tenders for new road in Rossbeigh

KERRY County Council (KCC) has told The Kerryman that tenders for a new road in Rossbeigh – required after damage to the Cliff Road in storms in September 2015 – are currently being assessed, with work ‘set to begin in the coming months.’

The works will cost some €1.1m and KCC said the required funding is now in place.

Half the funding has been sanctioned by the Department of Transport, and in September the department gave KCC approval to down a loan for the balance (€550,000).

Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Cahill has welcomed the news, and has praised KCC for its efforts since the road slippage.

“It’s taken time to get to this point, and it’s been a very difficult time for all those in the area that were affected by what happened in September 2015,” he said.

“But the length of time involved was understandable as this is an ambitious project that had to be considered carefully to arrive at the best solution for all concerned. I’m very pleased with KCC; many of its top officials travelled with us when we brought our deputation to Simon Harris.”

Councillor Cahill also praised the work of his fellow councillors:

“They have provided great support on this. Some of them live 50 or 60 miles from Rossbeigh but always showed concern for the people of the area.”

‘The Cliff Road’ – on a hillside overlooking Rossbeigh strand – slipped in September of 2015 after heavy storms, having already slipped after storms in 2013 and 2014.

It left over 30 residents without vehicular access to a cul-de-sac with 17 houses, which are made up of residential and holiday homes.

One of the residents affected told The Kerryman this week “The cliff near Rossbeigh strand is vulnerable as its made of soft material, and you’d have water flowing off the hillside as well and cutting into the cliff.”

The work will involve excavation across existing upland area, reinforced earth structure along the planned new route, as well as the installation of drainage channel, manholes and safety barrier.

No timeframe has been set for the works, but a KCC spokesperson said it intends to appoint a contractor ‘very shortly’, adding that: “Given the steep terrain and associated dangers, it is hoped to avail of better weather conditions for the work as we exit winter.”