Pedestrianisation a key part of huge new feasibility study for Kilkenny City

Major plans have been drawn up for a substantial redevelopment of Kilkenny City centre’s urban core.

A new feasibility study has proposed the pedestrianisation of key lanes around the city, including a section of James’ Street and all of William Street, Poyntz Lane and Pennyfeather Lane.

Also proposed is a new laneway to run from Friary Street to a sensory garden which is set to be developed at Wellington Square.

[Picture: The motor garage at Tilbury Place/Evan's Lane]

The removal of a motor garage on Evan’s Lane is also planned in a bid to facilitate better access to the historic Black Abbey.

This feasibility study, produced with funding from the National Transport Authority, was recently presented to elected members of Kilkenny City Municipal District Council.

After receiving a mostly positive response, further consultations are set to take place before more detailed plans are sent forward to planning.

It is hoped that the works will be financed in phases through different rounds of Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) funding and other eligible schemes such as NTA Active Travel funding.

Among the other proposals in the feasibility study was plans for laneway lighting improvements. It is hoped that uplight entrances will help improve the safety and the general appearance of the laneways in the city.

Natural elements such as trees and planters are proposed to be planted along the sides of laneways to absorb the water flows from gutters.

Additional design elements including wall art are planned to make city laneways more attractive, and it is hoped to get local creatives involved.

It is also hoped that the Mother of Fair Love School will play an active role in the design process of the proposed sensory garden at Wellington Square.

It was noted in the meeting that the new laneway planned between Friary Street and Wellington Square will require the cooperation of Presentation Primary School and the removal of a number of parking spaces at Cathedral Square Car Park.

It was also noted that much of Kilkenny’s old city walls still remain underground and it is planned to acknowledge where it runs on the surface of the pavement.

The plans were warmly welcomed overall by Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgerald.

“One of the problems with our lanes was that they became ‘lanes to nowhere’,” he said.

New traffic lights to aid flow of vehicles at busy junction in Kilkenny

“I’d very much urge for public consultation on this project, perhaps have an open evening in Town Hall and have residents come in to make comments. As part of the Rothe House Trust, I previously lobbied the council CEO on Evan’s Lane/Tilbury Place and the connections proposed to link it to the Black Abbey are very welcome.

“I would however have some reservations about possible ‘dog legs’ on the new laneway proposed between Friary Street and Wellington Square as sight lines may be obstructed and cause some personal safety concerns.”

Cllr Maria Dollard stated that she was ‘really struck by sensitivity of approach’ of the plans and described ‘hidden places like laneways at the heart of Kilkenny City’.

The councillor also stressed the importance of implementing biodiversity corridors and strongly welcomed the planned sensory garden, stating how important it is to get the design right.

“It’s not a sensory garden unless it’s understood,” she said. “Sensory gardens come from the world of autism and are a tool to support people who need it to regulate themselves.”

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Cllr Eugene McGuinness stated that the city ‘can only be enhanced’ by the plans and described them as ‘enormously positive’.

“This is a major step forward for laneways of Kilkenny and for Kilkenny itself,” he said.

Cllr McGuinnness also asked about the possible costs of the scheme and it was noted that further details on costs would become clearer later in the planning phase.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness described the plans as ‘a fantastic opportunity to improve our streetscapes and also help eliminate anti-social behaviour’.