The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
“We need to leave a better impression of this area to tourists”
COUNCILLOR Patrick O’Connor-Scarteen has said parts of the Board of Works Road in Beaufort are “in a shocking state” adding that he hasn’t seen a stretch as bad as it in a long time.
Around 800 metres of water main were replaced in the area by Irish Water in early 2018. In September, 2018, Kerry County Council acknowledged that temporary road restoration had taken place on the trench along the 800 metres but that the “temporary surface and the patchwork nature of the other side of the road, due to repairs to the water pipe over the years, result in a relatively poor surface on this local primary road”.
The response went on to state that the Council’s Operations and Water Services Depart- ments were in consultation on how best to approach and fund permanent restoration.
However, this permanent restoration still hasn’t come about, and Councillor O’Connor-Scarteen said the road, which leads to Carrauntoohil, needs to be addressed as soon as possible for the good of locals and tourists alike.
“First and foremost, we want to look after the residents that are living there,” he said.
“But secondly, for tourists, we need to leave a better impression of this area and, unfortunately, that road is in a shocking state. I haven’t seen a stretch as bad as it in a long time.
“Irish Water has done works on the road, and we’re very grateful for it, but it needs to be surfaced properly... There are fierce dips on the road. A lot of drivers, whether they’re going to Beaufort village or the Gap of Dunloe or Killarney, are taking side roads instead because this place is so bad.
“It’s very frustrating for locals; a lot of them have had issues with their cars and have had to go to mechanics afterwards. And with tourists, the last thing you want to happen to them is getting a puncture or sustaining damage to their car.”
The Kerryman contacted Kerry County Council for a response but had not received one by the time of going to print.