The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘TWO DECADES LATER, WE’RE STILL WAITING FOR WORKS’
Killorglin residents waiting 22 years on upgrade
‘IF COUNCILLORS COME KNOCKING ON OUR DOORS, WE HOPE THEY’LL HAVE ANSWERS FORUS. Laune View residents have a message for local election candidates.
RESIDENTS in one of Kerry oldest estates are calling on council management to fulfil promises made more than 22 years ago.
The residents of Laune View Housing Estate in Killorglin have once again called for the local authority to complete works at the estate, which was built back in 1934 and is one of Kerry’s oldest estates. In 1997 a list of 17 works needed were presented to councillors – the majority of which have been undertaken in the intervening years. But some are “outstanding”, according to resident Patrick ‘Chub’ O’Connor.
“There are four items outstanding, and we would like to have them sorted. We have waited 22 years,” said Mr O’Connor in a deputation led by Cllr John Francis Flynn at the South and West meeting in Killorglin. These include a bus stop near the entrance to cater for the residents of the estate and a proper pedestrian crossing from the entrance to the estate to the Laune Bridge.
Other issues include a call for a large boulder with the name of the estate to highlight its location; and an upgrade of street lights.
The residents are also now calling for more works to be added to the old list, including the removal of a road sign that is causing confusion for motorists who are led into the estate and then have to reverse out; as well as the addition of a speed ramp and an overlay of the estate following Irish Water works, as loose grit is a serious concern for many residents and “is like walking on ball bearings”, Mr O’Connor added.
Senior Engineer Padraic Teahan agreed the estate needed tarmac but that this would not happen until 2021 due to a full programme of works until then.
However, other works will be addressed, including the pedestrian crossing, which is part of a new road design. Councillors’ allocations were also offered and will be used for the new estate sign; and council management will write to Bus Éireann about the bus stop, though Mr Teahan warned that the bus stop in Killorglin is already located at Library Place for the whole town. Street lights will also be changed, residents were told.
Councillors and forthcoming election candidates were warned by residents that they had better have answers if they come canvassing to the estate.
“We have 40 houses and 100 votes,” said Mr O’Connor.
“Should any councillors canvas in our estate, we hope that they will have answers for us about these queries; otherwise, we will have answers for them. We have waited 22 years for some of these issues to be resolved,” said Mr O’Connor.
Cllr John Francis Flynn said that that an overlay is needed for the estate as the surface will not settle due to the lack of traffic: “These are the eldest age group in our town, and that should be respected,” he said.