Work is to get underway on the South Kerry Greenway final section from Caherciveen to Renard, following a public consultation announcement set for October 17.
Consultants have been appointed to oversee the extension of the greenway, initially planned as a 32km route, but reduced after a 5km section was refused permission due to environmental concerns.
Kerry County Council reported advancements on other sections of the 27km cycling and walking route, particularly a 5km section between Glenbeigh and the N70 overbridge, and construction has begun on a 3.5km segment between Gortnagree and Kells.
The proposed 32km cycling and pedestrian path from Glenbeigh to Caherciveen which mainly follows a former railway line, was first proposed in 2012 on the back of the successor the Great Western Greenway in Mayo. The Waterford Greenway, proposed at the same time, commenced work in 2016 and opened in 2017.
In 2018, two separate High Court challenges were initiated against the project’s approval, focusing on environmental concerns and the use of compulsory purchase orders for land.
Local farmer James Clifford and environmental activist Peter Sweetman argue that An Bord Pleanala’s decision to approve the greenway contravenes EU directives, claiming insufficient protection measures for local wildlife.
A second challenge was filed by the Greenway Information Group, representing landowners affected by the project, seeking to quash the council’s decision to grant permission for the greenway..
