FIX THIS ‘LETHAL’ JUNCTION

REEN JUNCTION NEAR CAHERDANIEL IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS ON THE RING OF KERRY

THERE are growing calls for one of the most dangerous junctions on the entire Ring of Kerry route to be moved to prevent a serious accident.

Residents living near Reen Cross on the N70 – just a few miles from Caherdaniel village – say the junction poses a huge danger to motorists, especially in the summer months when the Ring of Kerry becomes the busiest tourist route in the country.

The near 90 degree junction is located on one of the busiest and fastest stretches of the N70 and is almost invisible to drivers approaching it from the direction of Sneem and Kenmare.

The fact that many drivers on the Ring during the tourist season have never driven the road before makes this even more dangerous.

At present drivers exiting Reen must wind down their windows, listen for oncoming traffic and hope for the best as they pull out onto the main road.

While a mirror was installed some years ago during the summer it is typically covered in foliage, rendering it almost completely useless.

The problem is most severe in the summer months when all the houses in Reen – many of which are holiday homes – are fully occupied, making the small boreen much busier.

Residents and landowners who use the cross regularly want to see the junction moved slightly westward to improve sight lines and generally make it safer. Land has been made available to move the junction and all that is required is funding.

On Saturday Fianna Fáil TD John Brassil and Cllr Norma Moriarty visited the area and met residents to hear their concerns. Previously Fine Gael’s Deputy Brendan Griffin and Cllr Patrick Conor Scarteen had also met residents.

Cllr Moriarty said Kerry County Council is currently preparing designs to widen and realign the N70 near Reen Cross and, as such, this would be an ideal time to alter the junction.

One resident – whose car was written off in a crash at the cross several years ago – called for urgent action.

“It’s lethal. It’s one of the absolute worst junctions on the whole ring and it’s a wonder there hasn’t been a massive accident here in summer,” he said.

“It’s only safe after dark when you can see an oncoming car’s headlights. I honestly haven’t turned right leaving Reen in years. You’re taking your life in your hands,” he said.

Michael O`Connor the Chairman or Caherdaniel Rowing Club, which is based in Reen, said every time the club boat is taken to a regatta it is extremely difficult to navigate the junction and help is often needed to stop traffic.

“The speed limit on the N70 at the Reen junction is 100 km per hour, and the traffic on it can be moving very fast. Visitors to the area wouldn’t be familiar with the junction, and as they don`t know it is there, they don`t slow down,” he said.

“Residents must lower their car window at the junction, and listen for oncoming traffic, and there is concern locally that there could be a serious accident at the junction,” Michael said.

Gerry O’Malley – who organised the meeting – told Cllr Moriarty and Deputy Brassil that there are 29 houses in Reen and five other landowners who aren’t resident but use the junction daily to access their land.

Residents of Reen near Caherdaniel on the main Ring of Kerry Road with Fianna Fáil TD John Brassil and Waterville FF Councillor Norma Moriarty at Reen Cross on the N70. The residents are calling for the junction, which they say is one of the worst on the entire Ring of Kerry route, to be moved and made safe.