LATEST: Have Kilkenny councillors identified major flaw in North Quays project?

Kilkenny councillors have expressed concerns about the potential inadequacy of parking facilities at the new transport hub being developed as part of the North Quays project.

At this month’s meeting of the Piltown Municipal District in Ferrybank, Cllr Pat Dunphy said that following a recent site tour, it appeared “very little” would be going into the new station building.

He said the existing car park at Plunkett Station in Waterford is usually full by 11am, with large numbers of people dropping off passengers.

He warned that there may not be enough parking in the new development.

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“The best time to get anything done about it is now,” he added, noting that future changes could cost more due to inflation.

Cllr Fidelis Doherty agreed, stating that “for such a mammoth project, it’s obvious there will not be enough provision for parking.”

She also said there would be “very little manoeuvring space” in the station and sought further detail.

Cllr Tomás Breathnach said that if the previously proposed shuttle bus service across the new bridge was no longer being pursued, the parking issue became even more important.

Cllr Jenny Catt Slattery said people were being encouraged to use public transport but that facilities were not meeting those expectations.

She also asked what would happen to the existing station building at Plunkett Station, and expressed concern that it may be left looking derelict. She said it already “doesn’t look great”.

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Acting Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council Ian Gardner said he would relay the councillors’ feedback to the North Quays Project Team and hoped to have an update at the next meeting.

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FURTHER PROJECT UPDATES
Bridge finishing works on the new sustainable transport bridge over the River Suir have yet to begin. It is due to open in the final quarter of 2026.

Roadworks in Ferrybank are expected to finish this summer.

A possible bus service between Waterford and Kilkenny is under consideration to coincide with future flood defence scheme works. Any service would operate outside peak times, but no timeline for same has been confirmed.

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