A group of Kerry farmers affected by the proposed south Kerry greenway from Glenbeigh to Renard via Cahersiveen, have come together to offer an alternative to Kerry County Council’s proposal to implement compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for farmland along the route.

In June the council will submit planning permission for the route, including CPOs.

The 26km cycle route will run along the old Great Southern and Western Railway Company line that closed in the early 1960s.

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According to the Greenway Information Group, this is not about money – it’s about practicalities.

Farmer Christy McDonnell said:“We’re for the greenway. We were never doing this for money. The big issue is land severance.

“Our farms are divided already by the main Ring of Kerry road and now myself and my family will have to cross this how many times a day?”

Frustration

The landowners are frustrated at the whole process and feel that they are being pressurised. McDonnell said: “There was great progress made until CPO was mentioned and it’s been downhill from then on.

“Representatives from the council told me my neighbours had given permission for the greenway and I was the only one who was holding it up. I rang around and found out others had been told the same.”

The farmers have given the option of using parts of their land near the N70 Ring of Kerry road. This was turned down by council representatives, they said.

They have also suggested incorporating existing minor roads that are part of the Kerry Way walking route into the greenway. This would be similar to the Euro Velo cycling route that exists in Europe.

Local farmer Denis O’Connor suggests this is a good model to follow.

“We think the greenway is going to be great but they could spend the money better. Euro Velo in France uses 64% of low traffic volume roads.

“If they cleaned up the Kerry Way, you could make it local traffic only and reduce the speed limit if needs be in line with other sections of the Euro Velo.”

In 2012, the National Trails office produced A Guide to Planning & Developing Recreational Trails in Ireland.

It stated in the Landowner Consultation and Agreement section that “consultation with a landowner must take place and agreement in principle to the use of the owner’s property must be reached before any potential trail route is planned further or communicated to the general public.”

Landowners

O’Connor gave further background to the project.

“There are about 130 landowners. When this idea started, South Kerry Development Partnership did a feasibility study and it had 85% agreement of landowners all along the route.

“There were a few landowners not in favour and they had a bad faith issue with the council. Then the council took over the project.

“While they have the power of CPO, they are not going to consult and that is where we are today.”