The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kilgarvan road could be shut for up to a month
INDEPENDENT Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae estimates it will take three to four weeks before works are complete on the main Kilgarvan road (R569 Kilgarvan to Clonkeen), which was closed 10 days ago after a riverbank collapsed close to Loo Bridge.
Kerry County Council (KCC) has told The Kerryman that “significant structural works have taken place beneath the section of road that collapsed last week” following rain and flooding associated with Storm Ciara. But the location’s proximity to the Loo river has made life difficult for workers.
Cllr Healy-Rae said “good headway” has been made so far, but he added that the road collapse has caused major frustration locally – and it will be some time before this headache is resolved.
“Businesses, farmers, people using HGVs have been hugely inconvenienced,” he said. “There’s a diversion by the Moll’s Gap, but with the tunnel there [which has a height restriction], that’s not suitable for everyone.
“The people working on the road are making good headway so far, but there’s a lot of work ahead. You’re talking about very muddy ground there.
“They were hoping to get a lot done through the weekend, but the weather came against that.
“As I say, people have been hugely inconvenienced – but there’s nothing that can help that. I’d say it will take three to four weeks anyway,” Cllr Healy
Rae added. KCC has advised that motorists should only use diversions signposted via Moll’s Gap and Top of Coom.
A number of motorists have been using the very narrow Foila down Road, but while safety works – including the installation of lay-bys – took place on the road in recent days, the Council has stressed that Foila down is not an official diversion route.
The local authority will be salting the official diversion routes as required.
The Council has also confirmed that a scheduled closure of a section of the Moll’s Gap N71 from February 26 to March 16 has been postponed due to events on the R569.