KCC ‘broke its pledge to Ardfert’

FERRIS ATTACKS COUNCIL’S FAILURE TO MAKE GOOD ON TRAFFIC PROMISE

SINN Féin Councillor Toireasa Ferris has castigated Kerry County Council over the local authority’s failure to make good on a decade-old pledge to install pedestrian crossings in Ardfert village.

Around 10 years ago Kerry County Council carried out major road works to realign and reorganise traffic flow through and around Ardfert.

The plan initially met with significant local opposition, but many of those who were against the council’s proposal – largely due to safety fears – were won over when the local authority promised that pedestrian crossings would be provided as soon as the works were complete.

Those promised pedestrian crossings never materialised, an issue Cllr Ferris has raised in the council chamber on a number of occasions.

At Monday’s monthly meeting of the Tralee Municipal District council, Cllr Ferris once again took council management to task over the situation.

Cllr Ferris said that having to raise the matter again felt like ‘Groundhog Day’.

“10 years on and there’s not a single pedestrian crossing. The crossings were what brought several opponents to the traffic changes on board. It’s absolutely ridiculous that the Council hasn’t honoured the commitment that was given,” she said .

In response Council management said that under State guidelines – and following a traffic study in the village – it had been decided that pedestrian crossings were not “warranted” at the location.

Cllr Ferris took issue with the claim and added that the pledge to install pedestrian crossings had been made to locals by senior council officials at several public meetings and information sessions.

“No one ever said that put in pedestrian crossings if they meet certain criteria. That was not a condition at the time,” Cllr Ferris said. “The council is going back on its promise.”

Management suggested that the issue could possibly be revisited next year. “Or in another 10 years?” replied Cllr Ferris.