3.11 Transportation

3.11 Transportation

(see Volume1, Chapter 14; Connectivity)

The development of an integrated transport system with focus on walking cycling and public transport, will contribute to environmental sustainability, social cohesion and promote economic progress. The development of a Transport and Mobility Plan for Listowel Town is a key objective to identify future projects to increase levels of walking and cycling, access for all and where possible increased use of public transport. The provision of smarter travel solutions to encourage a modal shift towards sustainable mobility is aligned with the NPF National Strategic Outcome 4 Sustainable Mobility.

Map 3.5: Proposed and Indicative Transport Links

3.11.1 Listowel Transport Strategy and Mobility Plan

Kerry County Council is committed to developing a Transport and Mobility Plan for Listowel Town consistent with national policy and design guidelines.

3.11.2 Active Travel

Cycling and walking routes not only facilitate leisure and recreational use but have significant potential to serve as commuter routes providing access to places of work, school and other destinations. Kerry County Council is committed to developing cycling and walking infrastructure within the town consistent with its Transport and Mobility Plan.

3.11.2.1 Greenways

The construction of the North Kerry Greenway to Listowel linking with the Limerick Greenway from 42km to almost 50km. This will introduce an extended cycling route with a more challenging and wider experience and will increase the overall numbers using the Greenway. Listowel can capitalise on the potential opportunities arising from the arrival of the North Kerry Greenway, bringing the asset above the level of local amenity and towards a more pronounced tourism feature.

The arrival point of the North Kerry Greenway into Childers Park and Woodlands and River Feale walk will afford easy access to a first-class amenity asset for the region’s residents. The redevelopment of the railway corridor as a greenway will see it act as an enabler of urban and rural economic regeneration. While this greenway can be used for recreational and tourist activities such as walking, cycling and nature observation, it can also be used for journeys to work and school and connect the town with adjoining villages.

The North Kerry Greenway can not only provide opportunities for active travel and recreation along its route, but it can also provide economic, social, environmental and health benefits. The Council will seek to develop the proposed greenway through the town, park and along the urban road/footpaths in order to join up the two route corridors linking Dromin/Woodview with Curraghatoosane.

Listowel will become a destination centre for the North Kerry Greenway, offering potential for an increase in overnight stays at a location offering attractive urban heritage, local shopping, interesting pubs, restaurants and the attractive ambience of the medium-sized Irish town. The existing tourism products including the Writers Museum and Listowel Castle, both within immediate walking distance of the Greenway, will create a critical mass of tourist attractions that can capitalise on the increased footfall the greenway offers.

Future development of the Greenway network in North Kerry will involve the development of the Listowel to Tralee Greenway, linking to the Tralee to Fenit Greenway and potential for expansion of the Greenway network: Listowel to Ballybunion.

3.11.3 Roads & Infrastructure

Kerry County Council shall facilitate a Transport and Mobility Plan that sustainably, economically and inclusively benefits Listowel. In order to facilitate the emergence of a compact, diverse and resilient town, Kerry County Council acknowledges the need to increase the town’s permeability and accessibility to alternative and more sustainable modes of transport. Therefore, this plan facilitates the transition of Listowel to become an exemplar of the 10-minute town concept advocated by the RSES.

The proposed N69 Listowel by-pass seeks to improve traffic circulation and provides an opportunity for dedicated safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists in the town. Funding of €10 million has been allocated under the 2021 National Road Grant Allocations to advance the scheme to construction in addition to €8,500,000 allocated for advance works and land acquisition in 2019 and 2020 for this scheme.

3.11.4 Public Transport

Kerry County Council is committed to developing public transport infrastructure consistent with its Transport and Mobility Plan for Listowel.

The Listowel Active Travel Transport Plan will aim to support the objectives set out in the NPF, NDP, Climate Action Plan 2019 and RSES objectives (referenced above).