Kilkenny councillors demand answer to 'the big question everyone is asking'

“The big question everyone is asking.” That was how Cllr Ger Frisby summed up public interest over when the entirety of the South-East Greenway will be completed.

Speaking at this month’s meeting of the Piltown Municipal District in Ferrybank, South Kilkenny, Cllr Frisby called for clarity on the project’s timeline and the status of its engagement with local landowners.

“How far away are we from that [opening]?” he asked. “Hopefully the temporary car park [at Curraghmore] will be up for discussion too. If we were to go permanent, we’d want to be engaging with local people. There’s not a lot of works around it to protect landowners on either side, and there are worries about illegal parking locally. A conversation needs to be had.”

Cllr Fidelis Doherty echoed the call for certainty. She also urged the council to consider keeping the temporary car park at Curraghmore.

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“Sad to think it will be only temporary,” she said. “Can Curraghmore car park be kept? Is it possible to retain it?”

Her concerns were shared by Cllr Tomás Breathnach, who said there would be “merit in retention of the car park at Curraghmore, with the caveat of consultation”.

Responding to the points raised, Acting Director of Services Ian Gardner said they would be brought back to the South-East Greenway project team.

The South-East Greenway, much of which runs through South Kilkenny, has been under phased development.

The meeting heard that the next phase of its opening, a 5.5km section from Ferrybank to Curraghmore, is due to open this quarter, but that a date hadn't been set yet.

Snagging is ongoing with minor finishing works (including signage and boundary fencing requirements for opening) being actioned.

Creative Ireland funding has also been received for a wall mural on concrete screen fencing in Ferrybank and the design for same is currently under review by Kilkenny County Council with a view to completion prior to greenway opening.

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The Project Landowner Liaison Officer is continuing to engage with landowners adjoining the greenway in relation to boundary treatment and crossing points for the remaining lots of the greenway.

Of the 24 kilometres of greenway, some 14 kilometres are now completed or substantially completed.

Fehily Timoney and Company Ltd continue to advance the detail design on the remaining sections of the greenway.

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