Back road tourists posing a danger

ROADWORKS CHAOS NOT HELPED BY SATNAVS DIRECTING DRIVERS THROUGH CAMP ROAD

‘CHANGE the satnav’ is the plea from residents living near the Camp Road who are concerned over the escalation in traffic since the N23 closure between Farranfore and Castleisland came into effect last Thursday.

Residents said that satnav directions are funnelling traffic through the road which poses serious danger to drivers unfamiliar with its contours. Within days of the closure – which is necessary in order to complete the demolition and rebuilding of Dysert Bridge – tourists en route to Killarney and Dingle began using the road which residents say now needs to be stopped.

Local FG Cllr Bobby O’Connell met with engineers from Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), asking them to remove Camp Road from the satnav and to direct surplus traffic through Ballycarty, as originally planned by the council. The Ballybeg / Dromultan Road in Currow is also experiencing increased traffic.

“People are very concerned as the traffic is much more frequent and going that bit faster through the road. I’ve asked KCC and TII to take measures and have the road taken off the satnav which would alleviate traffic flow,” Cllr O’Connell said.

He added the N23 is the main artery to Killarney and south Kerry for drivers around the country, but said he has received assurances from the council that satnav changes will be made.

“It was getting dangerous as that road is not able for that volume of traffic. It was very evident that it was mostly tourists who were using the route as they were stopping and asking for directions. There is definitely teething problems that will have to be addressed. Signage is another big issue as better signs would help keep a lot of traffic off the road as well,” Cllr O’Connell added.

Fianna Fáil TD John Brassil also called for immediate action from the Council to alert tourists on taking alternative routes. “It’s fine if you’re local,” Deputy Brassil said. “I was in Castleisland at the weekend and had to get to Killarney and I went all the way back to the Ballyseedy roundabout, but if I had not known where to go I would have been extremely frustrated,” he added.

Deputy Brassil said given the tourist season is underway in a county so reliant on the industry, it’s imperative the matter be addressed immediately – particularly as it concerns one of the biggest gateways to the county.