A LOCAL group who are keen to see the Tralee-Fenit Greenway up and running as soon as possible have issued a call to local politicians to do all they can to have it ready for the 2021 tourist season.

The ‘Friends Of The Tralee To Fenit Greenway’ have expressed disappointment at the recent news that the greenway won’t be ready until at least the third quarter of 2021.

“It has come to our attention that the Greenway may now  be scheduled for completion in late next year 2021,” reads a statement from the group, issued to local county councillors.

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“This would mean that yet another year would have passed without this flagship project in place. We have been in touch with Brendan Griffin TD who has assured us that the allocated grant of €3 million, awarded during the last administration is fully in place and that there are no financial impediments.”

“Considering the current devastating impact on this year’s tourist industry and its importance to the local economy, we would again urge that the proposed scheduling for the Greenway completion be revised to Spring of 2021 which is a full 10 months away. Its scheduled opening for next year’s holiday season would put Tralee on the map as a unique tourist destination.”

“More importantly there is the issue of safety. With ‘staycations’ being encouraged  the Tralee to Fenit road has become very busy and next year will possibly be the same or even busier. Tourists from outside the county are unfamiliar with the road and with the increase in the number of cyclists the route has become more hazardous for vulnerable users.”

“We understand that there is a Council meeting on Monday next and we would again urge that you use your position as our public representative to ensure that KCC management revise their schedule and commit to a spring completion.”

The statement is signed by the committee of Joe Cotter, Margaret Lynch, Mike O’Neill, Keith O’Faolain, Tom O’Grady, David Slattery, Colin Shanahan, Brian Stephenson.