Kilkenny County Council lays out plans for significant city projects
Kilkenny County Council has secured over €16m in funding for four city projects, including the €9m Butts Regeneration Project and the €7.5m Kilkenny City Centre Vibrant Streets initiative.
Further details behind the future spending of substantial funding allocated to Kilkenny City projects have been outlined.
Funding of over €16 million was assigned to Kilkenny under the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund last month.
The Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund supports urban regeneration projects through funding for applicant-led projects.
Kilkenny County Council secured funding for four projects in the city, and councillors were briefed at October’s sitting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District.
The Butts Regeneration Project – Public Realm Development was granted €9 million and will involve works within and adjacent to the estate to improve pedestrian and vehicular circulation, introduce traffic-calming measures, and improve links to lands to the rear and beside the estate to facilitate future development.
A further €7.5 million was awarded for the Kilkenny City Centre Vibrant Streets project with the installation of ‘feature lighting’ at select locations and improved walking and cycling infrastructure set to be rolled out in parts of the city centre.
John Street Upper, Parade/Mayor’s Walk, High Street (Parade to Friary Street), Friary Street, William Street and James’ Street are all set to benefit from the funding.
The City Paint Scheme is also included under the same funding. This will assist property and business owners with the cost of painting the front façades of commercial or business buildings, while in keeping with the local streetscape.
Works on those projects are expected to begin in early 2027, with engagement with consultants ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Greensbridge Sustainable Mobility Project and the Kilkenny City Riverside Transformation Initiative are at a much earlier planning stage, both receiving €150,000 in funding to develop the designs and, according to Stan Cullen, Engineer with Kilkenny County Council, ‘in time will hopefully’ be brought to construction.
According to Mr Cullen, this will create a new linkage from Sweeney’s Orchard to St Canice’s Place, with the intention of easing traffic congestion on Green’s Bridge.
Furthermore, the riverside project intends to develop further recreation areas on both sides of the River Nore from John’s Bridge to St Francis Bridge, ‘enhancing’ its attractiveness.