LIVE: Major road works and parking closures to disrupt Kilkenny drivers

Bus and coach parking along the Castle Road will not available from 7am on Sunday, March 15 until 9pm on Tuesday, March 17 due to requirements for St Patrick’s Festival and tradfest celebrations.

"Alternative arrangements for bus parking will be available at Abbey Quarter," a spokesperson for the local authority said.

Kilkenny County Council appreciates your cooperation and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

The festival begins on Friday, March 13 and runs until St Patrick’s Day. This year’s programme is packed with the best of traditional Irish music, sean-nós and dance, with an impressive line-up of headline acts and the popular Bulmers Music Trail featuring 100 free gigs across the city.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny parishioners pull together to save their local pub

Meanwhile, Kilkenny County Council have advised that a Stop & Go traffic management system is in operation on the Freshford Road (R693), from Thornback Road (L6600) (city end) to Talbotsinch Village (L6602).

The works are taking place every day until Friday, March 27, between the hours of 9.30am to 4pm, to facilitate works being undertaken by TLI Group. Delays can be expected.

Kilkenny County Council appreciates your co-operation and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

The issue of traffic congestion (particularly during peak commuter hours) on the Freshford Road and in adjacent areas has been under public and political scrutiny in recent months.

READ NEXT: 'Exciting news' - brand new store to open in Kilkenny city centre 

Previously at a meeting of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Michael McCarthy (Fianna Fáil) described the scenes at the Freshford Road roundabout during peak hours as a 'ridiculous situation'.

"It’s mayhem during commuter hours," he said.

Meanwhile in January, The Labour Party’s Sean Ó hArgáin 'called out' parents living in Kilkenny city and its surrounds for failing to avail of accessible transport during school rush times trying to access the CBC school in the area, claiming many parents are responsible for traffic congestion at peak times. - READ MORE HERE

FOR MORE KILKENNY CITY NEWS, CLICK HERE