Active Travel strategy for Kilkenny gears up
A recent meeting of Kilkenny Municipal District received an update about the Active Travel strategy for Kilkenny City
A meeting of Kilkenny Municipal District on Friday December, 9 received an update about the Active Travel strategy, to which the National Transport Authority allocated funding of €4,333,000 for Active Travel projects in Kilkenny in 2021.
The initiative covers a number of projects completed in the City and County and others planned for future implementation.
Examples of work undertaken to date include improvements to footpaths in Dean Street and Fr Albert Place while a laneway in Willow Close was resurfaced, lighting improved and the area cleaned up. Public lighting was also upgraded in Parkview.
Traffic calming works were undertaken in the Sycamores, Whitewood on the Johnswell Road, Fr Murphy Square and Cashel Lawns. New driver feedback signage has been introduced to Johnswell Road and New Orchard.
Councillors were also updated on progress regarding an assessment of radial routes and inner orbital routes in Kilkenny and how they can be improved to encourage more active transport options such as walking and cycling by citizens.
In some cases these transport options are shorter than a journey by car. In each quarter of the city there is an active review of cycle lanes, footpaths, traffic calming, safe school zones and additional crossing facilities.
Ian Gardner, City Engineer with Kilkenny County Council, briefed the Council about works to manage cycle lanes in the city and its approach roads in terms of logistics around the width of cycle lanes and cyclists interactions with roundabouts. On the Ring Road alone there are 10 roundabouts over its 8 km length.
The aim of this work is to improve overall connectivity and maximise mobility in Kilkenny and ultimately reduce congestion. Improving pavements, public lighting and boundaries is also central to the strategy.
Joining up and improving existing travel networks will feed into Kilkenny’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to promote easier and more environmentally friendly travel options within Kilkenny.
Cllr John Coonan (FF) was one of many councillors who welcomed the update saying it was a ‘welcome report’ and “We want to decongest the city.”