Consultation begins on enhanced pedestrian and cyclist facilities for key Kilkenny roads

Initial consultation on plans to enhance pedestrian and cyclist facilities on the radial routes within Kilkenny City has begun.  

The strategic scheme will be progressed by Kilkenny County Council on a phased basis from 2024 to 2030, through funding from the National Transport Authority’s Active Travel programme. This scheme forms parts of a wider active travel programme to make Kilkenny a more sustainable city. Some elements of these schemes will be delivered under a rapid deployment programme.

The aim of the active travel programme is to provide safe, active travel networks, to enable people to choose to walk, wheel or cycle to work, to school or for their everyday journeys, when possible.  People in Kilkenny have consistently cited safety as the main barriers to active travel and the investment programme will address this issue.  

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Pat Fitzpatrick said these enhanced facilities will help create a more liveable, attractive and vibrant city.

"Furthermore, it will encourage independent journeys for all, particularly for children and young people and those with mobility issues, reducing the demand for care journeys.  The active travel programme will also provide alternatives to car travel within the city and help Kilkenny achieve the carbon emission reduction targets set out in the Climate Action Plan," he said.

Kilkenny County Council welcome feedback on the following schemes as part of this consultation:

Freshford Road and Granges Road
Approximately 3,000 school-age children will commute to school along the Freshford Road or Granges Road. Safe, segregated facilities will allow students to walk, wheel or cycle to school. The Freshford Road is a key link to St Luke's and Aut Even Hospital, one of the largest employers and trip generators in Kilkenny City.

Castlecomer Road
This route provides opportunities for additional tree planting and verges on the wider stretches, enriching the biodiversity of our city, and increasing the attractiveness of the routes. The route will connect the north-east of the city with public and sustainable transport options at MacDonagh Junction.v

Hebron and Dublin Road
This route will add to linkages already developed in the Hebron, Johnswell Road and Newpark area, linking houses to schools, employment, retail and health services and green spaces.  These routes will link to the off-road path by the Nore, along which people can enjoy a traffic free link to the city centre. 

Bennettsbridge Road
This is the gateway to the city for many visitors to Kilkenny. The route travels along by the historic walls of Kilkenny Castle and parklands and also links many of the shortcuts to the city centre for residents in the Loughboy and Nuncio Road areas.

College Rd
This route will provide safer connections to St Kieran’s College, Ormonde College of Further Education, John of God and St Patrick’s de La Salle national Schools and the city centre.

Waterford and Boherntounish Road
This busy corridor links residential areas to the Presentation Secondary School, Gaelscoil Osraí and Kilkenny School Project. The route also serves the shopping centre, medical services, The Watershed and large employment centres. There will be opportunities for additional tree planting and wildflower verges.

This consultation period is your opportunity to learn about the schemes and provide your input. The online consultation is open now here.