New parking arrangements come into effect in Kilkenny on Monday

In a move to try and address long-standing concerns about parking availability and efficiency in Kilkenny City, Kilkenny County Council has announced its first comprehensive review of parking in over a decade.

The initiative, led by the Kilkenny Municipal District, aims to provide a fair and efficient parking system that accommodates the needs of residents, visitors, and sustains the economic vitality of Kilkenny City Centre.

Amongst the objectives are, improving the availability of parking spaces, ensuring loading bays are reserved for the loading and unloading of goods and promoting the use of sustainable transport modes.

The news follows confirmation from the council that the cost of parking in car parks and on-street parking will increase.

Some of the price changes will see one hour of parking at Market Yard car park increase from €1.30 to €2 an hour.

All-day parking at the Fair Green, Dean Street and Wolf Tone Street car parks will increase from €2 a day to €5 a day.

The price of on-street parking will also increase in most areas. Short term parking in areas including John Street, Bateman Quay and Patrick Street Lower will go from €1.50 an hour to €2 an hour.

Some areas will see new limits to the length of time parking is permitted. On Castle Road and Dean Street it will cost €1 an hour but there will be a maximum stay of two hours.

The current one-hour parking limit on Upper Patrick Street is to be lifted, with a price of €1 an hour.

Meanwhile, as a result of the review, the Kilkenny Municipal District has adopted a series of strategic measures set to take effect from Monday, January 15.

The changes are as follows:

• Amended Parking Charges Regime - "A more equitable parking charge regime has been introduced to improve the availability of public parking spaces. This adjustment is to encourage responsible use of parking facilities, benefiting both residents and visitors. (See attached table of new parking charges regime)."
• Prevention of Illegal Parking in Loading Bays - "Measures have been implemented to prevent illegal parking in loading bays. This ensures that adequate loading facilities are available to support local businesses and the efficient movement of goods."
• Facilitate 'Set Down Only' on High Street - "Private vehicle parking on High Street is prohibited between 8am and 7pm, designating these areas as 'Set Down Only.' This initiative facilitates efficient passenger drop-offs, ensuring smoother traffic flow while preserving loading bays for the delivery of goods.
• Time Limits on Some Accessible Bays - "To improve accessibility, time limits have been imposed on specific accessible bays. This move guarantees a greater turnover of accessible bays, benefiting permit holders and promoting inclusivity."

Commenting on the changes, a spokesperson for Kilkenny County Council said: "These proactive measures underscore Kilkenny County Council's commitment to creating a vibrant, accessible, and safe City for all.

"By implementing a forward-thinking approach to parking management, the Council aims to create a positive impact on the quality of life for residents, the experience of visitors, and the ongoing economic development of Kilkenny City Centre," the spokesperson concluded.