Progress on Lewis juction but ‘do work quickly’, pleads sister of victim

IN May 2017, while training for the Ring of Kerry, Annette Mannix lost her life in a tragic cycling accident close to the Lewis Road Junction – a junction termed as one of the “most dangerous in the county”.

Since her death her family has fought for the junction to be improved to ensure the safety of all road users.

Now, progress has been made but it will be 2020 before works begin according to Kerry County Council last week.

The public consultation process for the works is to begin this month to give the public a chance to air their views on the works, which include a new roundabout on the Cork side of the N22 bypass. Cars exiting onto the bypass from Lewis Road will also have to turn left. After the public consultation is completed, lands will have to be sought and the construction contract put in place, according to the local authority.

Annette’s sister, Suzanne, says that she is glad that progress has finally been made, but she fears that if pressure is not kept on it will fall off the agenda.

“The plans are impressive and now we have to ensure that the funding is there and the works are undertaken. I would be worried that it would be pushed off the agenda,” she said.

“We need to keep the pressure on. I don’t see why they can’t carry out some of the works immediately; I see no reason to wait.”

Suzanne is also appealing to the public to take part in the consultation process as the works “affect the whole county”.

Suzanne Dennehy, whose sister died in a cycling accident near the Lewis Road Junction. She is calling for the Lewis road juction works to be undertaken as soon as possible.