Stadium walls may be knocked for cycle-lane

THE walls of Fitzgerald Stadium will be partially knocked to accommodate a new cycle-lane planned for Lewis Road.

However, it is expected the crescent at the front will be maintained given its history. The walls are in place since the stadium was first built in the 1936. However, given the age of the walls, there is a need for works.

Discussions are taking place with the Kerry County Board and with the Fitzgerald Stadium Management Committee regarding the planned cycle-way and the accommodation of the cycle-way in front of the walls. The Kerryman understands that part of the walls will be demolished entirely and then set back to accommodate the cycle-way, if it goes ahead.

“There is no issue with the lane .. We are open to doing anything to improve our facilities, “said Chairman of Fitzgerald Management Committee, Dermot Brosnan. He said the walls are crumbling due to age and that discussions are taking place around the exact plan.

Kerry County Council confirmed the walls would have to be set back by three metres.

The Lewis road cycle-way is part of a plan for five new cycle-lanes to be developed in Killarney town. In total 3,800m (almost 4km) of new cycle-ways will be put in place once planning is finalised. These include a cycle-lane from the Rock Road Car Park, heading north-ward to the N22 round at Cleeney, and on Upper Lewis Road from St Anne’s Road Junction to South Of Bridgefield Estate. A cycle-lane will also extend from Park Road Roundabout to Friary junction and on Deer Park Road from Park Road Junction to Gaelscoil Road Junction and Deer Park Road to Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.

The plans are currently out to public consultation and anyone who wishes to make their views known can do by February 17 by writing to the Administrative Officer, Kerry County Council, Roads, Transportation and Marine Department, Room 115,Áras an Chontae, Rathass, Tralee or E-mail to: roads@kerrycoco.ie.

Meanwhile, Cllr Michael Gleeson, has called on council management to provide small car parks, initially proximate to Killarney town, where motorists could park prior to the occupants going cycling throughout the area.

In response Killarney Municipal District Management said as part of their plans to improve cycling infrastructure, including the development of cycle-lanes, they would also examine adequate access points to these cycle-lanes.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin. The main entrance at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, which is part of the proposed cyclelane route.