Minister for Transport comments on proposed ring road extension in Kilkenny

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has relayed the latest information on the status of the proposed northern ring road extension in Kilkenny, in reponse to a query received in Dáil Éireann from Kilkenny TD, John McGuinness.

Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if the recent submission from Kilkenny County Council regarding the northern extension of the ring road meets the requirements of the Department to allow the project progress to the next stage of the process.

He also asked about the current status of the project and if funding will be allocated to Kilkenny County Council to fast track the planning of the route given the importance of the project and the urgent need to have it completed.

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In response, Minister Ryan stated that 'in line with Government requirements Kilkenny County Council produced a Strategic Assessment Report for the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension and a draft was forwarded to the Department in January 2023'.

He continued: "The Department reviewed the Strategic Assessment Report and returned its comments and observations to Kilkenny County Council for consideration.

"Since then, both the public spending code and the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework guidance have been updated.

"The Department continues to liaise with the Council regarding new requirements under the new infrastructure guidelines and the Transport Appraisal Framework including the preparation of a project outline document and business case incorporating the work already undertaken at the Strategic Assessment Report stage.

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"The Department has recently received an updated project outline document which is currently under review by the Department’s Strategic Research and Analysis Division and Regional and Local Roads Division.

"Following this review, the Department will further engage with Kilkenny County Council on the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Project.

"While this process is underway funding has been allocated for traffic/junction analysis in the Butts Green area of the city to further assess and understand traffic patterns in the city."

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