'Do a Jack Charlton on it' - Kilkenny councillors push for greenway opening date
Plans to link the greenway all the way up to Woodstock Estate in Inistioge, as well as to Glenmore and Slieverue, are also advancing
As works continue on the delivery of the South-East Greenway, local councillors are pushing for an official opening date for phase two of the project - a 5.5km section running from Ferrybank to Curraghmore in South Kilkenny.
At this month’s meeting of the elected members of Piltown Municipal District, held in Ferrybank, Acting Director of Services Ian Gardner relayed the latest project updates, before confirming that an opening date had not been provided by the project team.
Cllr Pat Dunphy pushed for an opening date to be provided at the next district meeting, urging Mr Gardner “to do a Jack Charlton on it, keep the pressure on.”
Mr Gardner noted that works are still ongoing to facilitate access from the Greenway onto the Abbey Road in Ferrybank.
He stated that the greenway team is continuing to engage with Waterford City & County Council in relation to a timeline for completion of these works which would allow opening of this section of greenway.
Detailed design of the remaining section of greenway from Curraghmore and Ballyverneen (c. 9km) continues to be progressed by consultants.
In relation to the greenway link to Glenmore, Kilgallen & Partners “continue to progress the detailed design and discussions with the relevant parties regarding the acquisition of lands.”
Efforts are continuing to identify potential funding streams to advance the greenway link to Slieverue.
Plans to link the greenway all the way up to Woodstock Estate are also advancing.
A second public consultation on the proposed route corridors will be held (date to be announced) and landowner engagement will continue.
Following this, a preferred route corridor option will be proposed, and further public consultation will take place.