Ballygarran underpass Tralee-Fenit Greenway
Environmental screening to support the proposed development of a pedestrian underpass at Ballygarran as part of the Tralee to Fenit Greenway.
With the planned construction of a new pedestrian underpass at Ballgarran lying with 1km of two Natura 2000 protected areas, we provided environmental expertise to determine the overall potential impact of the works.
- Client Kerry County Council
- Location Tralee, Kerry
Environmental screening to determine the potential impact of proposed work on protected areas, habitats and species
Supported by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport's Greenway Funding Programme, the 11km Tralee to Fenit Greenway was developed for the exclusive use of cyclists and pedestrians.
With construction work to create a new pedestrian underpass at Ballgarran close to the Tralee Bay Complex Special Protection Area and Tralee Bay and Maharees Peninsula, West to Cloghane Special Area of Conservation, environmental considerations underpinned this project. Key to this was firstly determining the baseline conditions on-site.
By conducting a full ecological walkover survey, we were able to not only determine the baseline conditions but also generate an extensive list of environmental pressures and detail the potential level of impact the works would have.
As a result of this work and the initial screening, we were able to advise that based upon best scientific judgement, no likely impacts to the Natura 2000 sites were expected. Through our assessments, we were also able to confirm that once operational, the proposed development would have a low environmental impact.
The Tralee to Fenit Greenway is a railbed conversion of the Fenit branch line which runs for 14km from the heart of Tralee to the coastal village and port of Fenit.
