The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Local plan to re-examine Cromane pier
KERRY County Council (KCC) has said it hopes re-examine the development of Cromane Pier under its Local Economic Community Plan, after renewed calls for the parish to get its long-awaited pier.
Councillor Michael Cahill raised the matter recently at a South and West Kerry Municipal District meeting.
“In view of the fact that Cromane is one of the largest exporters of mussels and oysters in the country, that tractors and trailers have to reverse into the sea to unload from the trawlers in this day and age is an absolute outrage,” Councillor Cahill said.
“I propose that Kerry County Council set up and spearhead a committed working group in conjunction with all associated agencies as a matter of extreme urgency so as to ensure that the people of Cromane get their long awaited Pier.”
The provision of a pier at Cromane was previously progressed by the Department of the Marine in conjunction with KCC and was originally estimated to cost between €6.5million and €8million. The only funding stream available to KCC for piers and harbours is operated by the Department, and the Cromane proposal is well outside of the remit of that particular programme.
The local authority added however that: “It is an objective of the Kerry Local Economic and Community Plan 2016 to 2022 to ‘re-examine the feasibility of the development of Cromane Pier and associated infrastructure.
“This feasibility study will be carried out by KCC and if the project is deemed feasible, we will seek to progress this development in conjunction with the associated agencies,” a spokesperson added.