The Tralee-Fenit walk- and cycleway will be real!
After having heard about the exciting project first at last year’s Kerry Bicycle Festival it seems that the new walk- and cycleway between Tralee and Fenit is now in the final stages of planning and may even be finished very soon. Although I understand that some discussions are still going on with owners of properties adjacent to the track I no longer doubt that the ambitious new way can and will finally become a reality.
If so, the path will be built along the former railway corridor, which still connects rock street right in the heart of Tralee with the former station area in Fenit, and that place is right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. It will be absolutely great to walk or cycle the ca. 12 kilometres between those two places without having to use the narrow and sometimes dangerous public roads in the area. It would be a great tourism asset, too.
A blog with more information about the still ongoing consultation process has been set up by fellow bicycle enthusiasts and a public meeting will be held on October 22nd in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel at 8pm. So, if you want to show your support for this great idea (and hopefully soon real construction project) please sign up and come to the meeting. See you next thursday!
Below you can see some images of what the disused railway line is looking right now. The photograph in the lower left corner shows the possible starting point of the way (it would actually right behind the stone wall with the cars parking in front), the others have been taken along the track.
It would be very expensive. The councils pockets cant be deep enough. There would possibly have to be a number off toll bridges along the 12 km route possibly to fund maintenance and services. Id prefer if a number of potholes and small caves were filled in around the town, maybe a bit of traffic management around Garveys and maybe remove that stupid blindspot off the roundabout past the horan centre.That pile of rubbish failed me my driving test!
I drive out to fenit regularly and I dont find anything too dangerous on the road that a good hedge cutter wouldnt take care of.
Comment by john — October 30, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
Hey John,
I dont think the cost is huge due to the fact that all the land is owned by CIE, and they are allowing it to be used in the project at no cost.
As far as I am aware the Kerry council council are only facilitators in this project and not actually funding it, not 100% but I think that the funding is from leader.
Like most funding of this type it has to go on the project it was awarded for [ie the walkway ] and cant be used for potholes, hedge cutting etc.
So if the local walkway/cycleway doesn’t go ahead, the funding will be lost and will go to a comunity project somewhere in the country.
Nice pics Holger !
Comment by Keith — November 1, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
Has any progress been made to date on this. What amount of funding was available for this?
Before laying any surface, I would think a few men and a JCB or two just doing clearance work and spraying weedkiller alone could do wonders with a few weeks of work. I don’t think anyone has a right to object to clearance work as CIE has a right to have this done on their own land. The line was there before any of the residents were born. Clearing the first mile on either end would at least get the ball rolling and maybe inspire further interest and curiosity and help with further fund raising efforts. I personally know multi-millionaire Fred Krehbiel who resides part of the year at Churchill House has offered funding (10,000) in the past for this and is very enthusiastic about getting this transformed into a cycle/running path.
[address part edited]
It is quite likely he still has the enthusiasm for this project. If phoning and Fred is not available ask for Nora Landers and she should be able to help you.
Sincerely,
A dedicated enthusiast
Comment by john — March 9, 2010 @ 10:55 pm
I hope that the walkway will meet with more success than the expensive attempt by the Great Southern Railway Preservation Society to reopen the line in the 1980s! Kerry people seem to like turning their railways into walkways - won’t be long before Tralee/Mallow becomes available….
Comment by David Parks — May 12, 2010 @ 6:52 pm