€3.8m for N86 upgrade works and a new cycleway – Griffin

Fine Gael TD for Kerry and Member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Brendan Griffin, has said that the confirmation today (Monday), by the Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe, that €3.8m is to be invested in the N86 will provide a major boost for the economy in West Kerry.

“ Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is to allocate €3.8 million for the upgrade of the N86 Dingle to Annascaul and Gortbreagoge to Camp sections of the N86, which will include a cycleway, road widening and improved pedestrian facilities.

“There have been a number of issues around progressing works on the N86 in recent times and I have done everything in my power to ensure that the funding would remain available when the project got the go ahead. I am therefore extremely pleased to hear that only a few weeks after approval was granted, the money has become available to get work started. I would particularly like to commend the hard work of my colleague Cllr Seamus ‘Cosaí’ Fitzgerald who has worked tirelessly to keep this issue on the agenda.  

“The N86 Dingle to Annascaul and Gortbreagoge to Camp Road Improvement Scheme comprises two sections; Dingle to Annascaul which is 16.5km in length and Gortbreagoge to Camp which is 11.5km.  The scheme includes road widening on large sections of the route, as well as pavement works in Lispole, Annascaul and Camp and a pedestrian/cycle facility.

“Getting to this stage of progress on the N86 has taken many years. There have been many legal challenges and the project was stalled.

“The upgrading of the N86 will enhance safety, improve travel times for local residents and it will encourage greater tourist activity in the area.

“This is a major socio-economic development for all of West Kerry and comes in addition to Capital Investment funding for the Dingle Relief Road, the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom bypass and the N21 Adare bypass if approved.”