Local TD welcomes €3 million investment for Kilkenny

Leas Ceann Comhairle and Fianna Fáil TD, John McGuinness, has welcomed the announcement of €3 million in capital funding for Active Travel and Greenways in Kilkenny in 2026.

Deputy McGuinness said the announcement represents a major and positive investment in safe, sustainable and healthy transport options, with real and tangible benefits for communities across Kilkenny and throughout the country.

“This is fantastic news for our towns, villages and cities,” Deputy McGuinness said. “The scale of this  investment demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to active travel, climate action and improved quality of life. Walking and cycling infrastructure not only supports healthier lifestyles but also strengthens local economies and enhances community connectivity.”

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Deputy McGuinness particularly welcomed the inclusion of key projects for Kilkenny, including Active Travel Facilities on the Waterford Road, Kilkenny and Rapid Deployment in Kilkenny City on the Freshford and Granges Roads.

“These projects will make a real difference on the ground, improving safety, accessibility and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, while encouraging more people to choose active travel for everyday journeys,” he said.

Deputy McGuinness noted that it is expected some 200 kilometres of new walking and cycling infrastructure will be delivered across the country in 2026, in line with targets set out in the Climate Action Plan.

“This programme is a key enabler in reducing transport emissions while delivering safer, more attractive public spaces,” he said. “I commend Minister Darragh O’Brien, the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland for their continued work, and I look forward to seeing these projects delivered for the benefit of communities across Carlow-Kilkenny and beyond.”

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to working with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that Kilkenny continues to benefit from sustained investment in active and sustainable transport.

Kilkenny projects to receive funding are: 

·       Ring Road Active Travel Facility Upgrade (Phase 1) - widen routes & improvement of crossing facilities - €5,000 (Design work for Ring Road upgrade of active travel facilities, particularly at roundabouts).

·       Kilkenny County Council Active Travel Office - Staff costs €320,000 – (Active Travel Office - Staff Costs)

·       Rapid Deployment Kilkenny City - Freshford and Granges Road - €10,000 (Completion of active travel works on Granges and Freshford Road).

·       Northern River Crossing Feasibility Study - €25,000 – (Feasibility study for additional Active Travel Bridge in northern section of Kilkenny City, to inform land use zoning/development e.g. future proofing).

·       Piltown Active Travel junction tightening, pedestrian crossings €120,000 (Junction and pedestrian crossing improvements in Piltown, south Kilkenny).

·       SRTS Round 1: St. John Of God - €40,000 -(Provide infrastructure for schools to increase walking and cycling and improve safety at front of schools).

·       Callan Roundabout - Pedestrian Crossing Improvement - €5,000 – (Junction and pedestrian crossing improvements at Callan Roundabout).

·       Castlecomer Road - Active Travel Infrastructure. - €10,000 – (Improved active facilities along Castlecomer Road).

·       SRTS Round 3: Paulstown  - €240,000 – (Provide infrastructure for schools to increase walking and cycling and improve safety at front of schools).

·       Active Travel Facility - Loughboy Park Phase 2 - €40,000 – (Active Travel Scheme - Phase 2 works building on work completed previously, including provision of improved footpath facilities).

·       Greensbridge Crossings - €100,000 – (Improved pedestrian facilities at the junctions of John's Green Street and Greensbridge environs).

·       Dublin Road Crossings - €10,000 – (Improved pedestrian facilities at the Old Dublin Road to link with Bishop Birch Place).

·       Active Travel Facilities - Waterford Road - €700,000 – (Improved pedestrian and cyclist facilities on Waterford Rd to include junction improvements for active travel users).

·       High Street - Active Travel Infrastructure  - €30,000 – (Improved active travel infrastructure at junction of High Street and Patrick Street).

·       CBC Phase 2 Active Travel Works - €160,000 – (Additional walking and cycling infrastructure to support active travel adjacent to the new CBC School).

·       SRTS Round 4: Stoneyford National School - €10,000 – (Provide infrastructure for schools to increase walking and cycling and improve safety at front of schools).

·       SRTS Round 4: St. Kierans NS, Johnstown - €10,000 – (Provide infrastructure for schools to increase walking and cycling and improve safety at front of schools).

·       SRTS Round 4: Scoil Mhuire NS, Mooncoin - €10,000 – (Provide infrastructure for schools to increase walking and cycling and improve safety at front of schools).

·       SRTS Round 4: Bennetsbridge NS - €10,000 – (Provide infrastructure for schools to increase walking and cycling and improve safety at front of schools).

·       SRTS Round 4: SN Moin Ruadh, Hugginstown - €10,000 – (Provide infrastructure for schools to increase walking and cycling and improve safety at front of schools).

·       Waterford Road Phase 2  - €810,000 – (Provide active travel infrastructure along Bohernatournish Road to Nuncio Road including 2 roundabout upgrades).

·       Circular Road Footpath - €5,000 – (New active travel facilities on Circular Road from Rosehill to Roberts Hill to cater for new secondary school in the Western Environs).

·       Castlecomer Active Travel Facility - €25,000 – (Upgrade and improvement to existing trail along old railway line to active travel facility to improve connection for residential areas to school).

·       New Crossing to the Square - €40,000 – (New crossing funded from AT Programme to enhance bus stop upgrades under BSEP).

·       Dangan Terrace to Chapel Lane footpath - €140,000 – (New connection from residential area towards the centre of Thomastown including junction tightening at Graiguenamanagh Road).

·       Bennetsbridge Crossings and Footpath - €40,000 – (New crossing and section of footpath funded from AT Programme to enhance bus stop upgrades under BSEP).

·       Graignamanagh - Active Travel Facilities - €50,000 – (New pedestrian crossings at key locations within Graignamanagh)

·       Abbey Road to Ferrybank Shopping Centre - €25,000 – (New active travel facility from Abbey Road to Shopping Centre via existing housing estates and existing bridge over railway line).