THE resurfacing of the canal walkway was completed this week with the section from the lock gates to the bridge at Blennerville opened on Wednesday.

That part of the walkway was closed to allow the tarmacadaming of the pathway, but Kerry County Council workers did the job in two days. The path was also widened a little and is about the same width as the rest of the walkway.

Now people can walk the 2.4km walkway from the Marina to the Lock Gates on the tarmac surface, making it an almost 5k round trip with stunning views of the Sliabh Mish mountains.

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After most of the canal walkway was resurfaced, with lights and benches installed last year by contractors, Mayor Terry O’Brien brought forward a motion earlier this year at a Tralee Municipal District meeting, that the remainder of the path to the Lock Gates be completed in time for the summer.

Council management said the funding wasn’t there, so Cllr O’Brien asked his fellow councillors to fund it with Councillors Allocations.

Councillors agreed and this was used to fund the majority of the work which cost €45,000. Mayor O’Brien said it is a fantastic amenity and was delighted that people in wheelchairs and families with buggies can now use the walkway in comfort.

As well as the resurfacing work, the lock gates have also been repaired and are fully operational now.