Ballinskelligs Footpaths Active Travel Measure

Active Travel Measure

Coiste Forbartha na Sceilge is the local voluntary development organisation for the
Ballinskelligs area. The Coiste Forbartha endeavours to promote every aspect of the area, its
cultural, social and domestic development. Over the years Ballinskelligs because of its
natural attractions especially its beach, has become a very attractive tourist destination.
During the tourist season the population of the area increases manifold because of the number
of holiday homes in the area. While this is all a welcome development, the Coiste Forbartha
has great concern for the safety of road users, especially pedestrians who use that stretch of
the R561 between, Brownes shop / filling station and the entrance to Ballinskelligs Beach at
Caife Cois Trá.
 This stretch of roadway is very narrow and two cars have difficulty in passing
one another in the stretch from the Delpac factory to the entrance to the Beach. This
creates a major hazzard for pedestrians and is contrary to the Active Travel Measure
which Kerry County Council promotes.
 This is the roadway car users have to use to access the two car parks beside
Caife Cois Trá when visiting the beach.
 This is the roadway car users use coming in the opposite direction on the
popular Wild Atlantic Way route from Portmagee and Valentia.
 The Volume of traffic in the tourist season coming from opposite directions
creates a major health and safety issue along this stretch of roadway.
 Along with giving access to the beach this roadway is also the access to the
newly opened playground.
 Caife Cois Trá hosts a country Market every Sunday throughout July and
August which again increases the volume of traffic.
 The Coiste Forbartha would like the Kerry Co. Council to develop on its lands
beside the playground a site which would be suitable for seasonal temporary Trading
Bays which would be used by local arts/crafts artists and other locally produced
products. Hopefully this will happen, but it will necessitate that Health and Safety
measures be put in place on the access roadway.
Proposal:
That Kerry Co. Council construct a footpath on the left hand side of the road as one faces
Caife Cois Trá coming from the Cahersiveen direction along the R561 from Brownes shop /
Filling station to the entrance of Ballinskelligs Beach at Caife Cois Trá.
Also that Kerry Co. Council examines the safety issues at the crossroad at Caife Cois Trá
with a view to putting in place safety features for both car users and pedestrians