Call to open path under busy Kilkenny bypass

A path under the Callan bypass should have access points on both sides of the busy roadway, for safe pedestrian crossing, a local councillor has said.

Following the tragic death of Jelena Kuzic, earlier this year, the safety of pedestrians on the bypass has again come into focus.

Speaking at the recent meeting of Callan Thomastown Municipal District councillors, Cllr Joe Lyons said pedestrians should be able to access the path alongside the King’s River from both sides of the bypass.

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Currently it can be accessed from the town side only, through the Moate Field. Long-term plans are for the park to extend into land on the other side of the bypass, but that has not yet happened.

Cllr Lyons said there should be an access point on the Westcourt Business Park side of the bypass and it should be ‘railed-off’ for safety. 

It would keep people from crossing the bypass itself, he said, and would be a great asset.

Area Engineer, Declan Murphy, said he would pass on the request to the engineers and designers involved in drawing up plans for the bypass works, which are currently being designed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.