Latest update on greenway construction works in Kilkenny
An update has been issued by Kilkenny County Council
Glas Civil Engineering Ltd commenced works in November last on Lot 5A of the South-East Geenway, a 5.5km section, from Ferrybank to Curraghmore.
Over the past few months, significant progress has been made on the permanent greenway carpark at Ballyverneen, Glenmore.
Works also continue on a number of road and agricultural crossing locations, as does the construction of Kilmurray Lane access ramp.
The greenway sub-base is now installed and fencing, screening and embankment reshaping work continues.
The Project Landowner Liaison Officer is continuing to engage with landowners adjoining the greenway in relation to boundary treatment and crossing points.
The parameters for these discussions are set out within the Charter for South-East Greenway Accommodation Works.
A tender for the provision of technical services for a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy team was advertised earlier this year. The scope of this tender includes for the completion of all remaining phases of the greenway.
Three tender submissions were received and following the tender assessment, Fehily Timoney and Company Limited (FTC) were deemed the preferred tenderer and the contract of award was subsequently signed on May 28, 2024.
Land Acquisition from Córas lompair Éireann (CIÉ) - Legal contracts have now been signed by both the local authority and CIÉ and the final conveyance works are progressing to conclude the acquisition of the lands along the abandoned rail corridor.
Related Schemes
Greenway Link to Glenmore: In May, the Department of Rural and Community Development announced that Kilkenny County Council's funding application under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) to progress this project was successful.
This funding will now allow the local authority to proceed to the detail design, land acquisition and construction stage of the project.
This project also incorporates the provision of a new Pink Rock Cycle Loop which will offer greenway users, travelling from the New Ross end, the option of cycling back along an alternative route beside the scene River Barrow.
Greenway Link to Slieverue: A 'Feasibility and Route Selection Report' was previously completed to connect Slieverue village to the South East Greenway.
The findings recommended a looped connection to the village, from Rathpatrick in the north and Kilmurray Lane in the south.
Consultations are ongoing with the TII Structures Section pertaining to the northern link road bridge crossing.
It is proposed to progress to the planning stage, under Part 8, for the southern link initially and this process is scheduled to commence over the summer.
Woodstock (Inistioge) to South East Greenway Link: RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd were awarded the technical consultancy services contract in February.
This technical consultancy services contract provides for feasibility, route selection and the progression of the preferred option through planning.
The contract period to deliver the prescribed services is 49 months and regular updates will be provided to Kilkenny County Council through the Chief Executive's Report.