Kilkenny Central Access Scheme

Updated on Oct 29, 2023

Edit

Comment

Kilkenny Central Access Scheme (CAS), previously Kilkenny Inner Relief Road Scheme is a controversial new road, improvement of existing roads and junctions, and a new concrete River Nore bridge, with provisions for footpaths and cycle lanes throughout. CAS comprises 4.5 kilometers of single carriageway road that is 7.3 metres wide. The scheme is proving to be controversial as the route of the completed road will bring heavy traffic through residential areas, also the route will bring heavy traffic through the centre of medieval Irishtown section of the city.

History

The Inner Relief Road was first proposed in 1978 as a means of providing access to brewery traffic to the brewery itself, which has now closed. Kilkenny city is currently surrounded by two thirds of a ring-road and the completion of this ring-road is seen by some as a greater priority for alleviating Kilkenny's traffic problems as they stand. Kilkenny County Council remains resolved that progress in the CAS project should continue ahead of completion to the outer ring road.

Objectives

The Council’s objectives in providing the proposed scheme are as follows:

To build a unified city centre with the River Nore at its heart, with strong connectivity between High Street, The old Mart (an undeveloped shopping centre; currently for sale) and McDonagh Junction.

Improve access to the city centre and provide for economic development;

Reduce the impact of road traffic and private car domination on the city centre and concentrate the citys traffic through Dean Street; and enable partial pedestrianization of John’s Street and High Street.

Improved accessibility for emergency services and access to health facilities and hospitals;

Make provision for a shopping centre development on the west side of the city without creating traffic problems in existing residential areas.

Provide access to the undeveloped "old Mart site" (a 5.5 acre brownfield site in the western suburbs of the city). The site was refused planning permission to be developed into a shopping centre.

Route

The proposed road commences at the Kilmanagh Road and will pass northwards through a roundabout in the townland of Kilcreene. From Kilcreene, the proposed CAS will extend north eastwards to the Waterbarrack roundabout and along the existing Dean Street to St Canice’s Place (through medieval Irishtown). A new road will then be built from the Kilmanagh road to the Waterbarrack, with another stem going from the Kennyswell roundabout to the Freshford Road. The last section from Kennyswell over the River Nore via a new concrete bridge to the Castlecomer road requires the demolition of three houses in Vicar Street. The three houses (particularly the south gable wall of number 22) form part of the medieval manse house of the prebendary of Tiscoffin and would be demolished to build the new road.

Design

The design of the Inner Relief is by RoadMalone O’Regan/Scott Wilson, Consulting Engineers who were engaged by Kilkenny Council.

Funding

Over €11.6 million was allocated to non-national roads in Kilkenny in 2005 under the National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP is funded primarily by the Exchequer with support from the EU Structural Funds. The funding was designated for work on projects such as the R695/R887 Central Access Scheme and the new River Nore bridge.

Concerns raised

The proposed route dissects the medieval core of the old Irishtown of Kilkenny, one of the most historic quarters of the city. Large protests have been taking place, with as many as 2,000 people protesting, a significant number given the small population of Kilkenny as a whole.