Development plan · Kilkenny County Council
Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027 — Volume 2
A further volume of the council's development plan.
Kilkenny County Council · 2021–2027 · 135 pages
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027 — Volume 2, each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 74 The City Centre is marked by ‘Gateways’ within which a 30kph speed restriction applies (See Figure MS4). These Gateways define the entry points into the city centre street and laneway network. Within this area there is traffic calming such as raised pedestrian crossings, road narrowings and ‘special’ surfacing – shared vehicle and cycle space with dedicated pedestrian footways. Suburban areas are defined by the Ring Road and 50kph speed restriction. Within this there are separated vehicle and cycle space (i.e. cycle lanes or cycle tracks as appropriate) with dedicated pedestrian footways (or occasionally shared footway/cycleway). Within the retail core and city centre, pedestrian and cyclist movements shall take precedence over vehicular traffic. As described above, the Gateways demarcate the city centre within which pedestrians and cyclists should have priority. Gateways are defined by a variety of urban design and traffic management schemes. Key to the delivery of a successful cycle network is the provision of supporting infrastructure. Secure bike parking facilities have been provided at central destinations such as The Parade, John’s Green, Bateman Quay, Kieran Street and High Street. Bicycle parking will continue to be required as part of any relevant development proposal. (See Section 12.5.1 Volume 1 for bike parking standards.) Impact of Covid-19 A number of initiatives have been introduced as a response to the impact of Covid-19 on the City Centre. One of these has been the introduction of a one-way traffic system for Rose Inn Street, High Street & Bateman Quay with additional road space being allocated to pedestrian movement along Rose Inn Street and High Street. This was introduced on an experimental basis from a recommendation of the Kilkenny City Task Force. The operation of the one-way system will be reviewed and monitored to assess whether such a system would be appropriate in the transport strategy for the City over the longer term.
No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 75 Cycling Objectives Walking In general terms, new and upgraded main pedestrian links should be provided based on the following principles: • Connected: Linking the places where people want to go. • Convenient: Direct routes should follow desire lines, with easy to use crossings. • Comfortable: Good quality footways with adequate widths and free of obstructions. • Convivial: Attractive, well lit, and safe, with a variety of landscaping and views along the route. • Conspicuous: Easy to follow routes with helpful signage. 5.6.4.1 Pedestrian Priority A key element of the Mobility Management Plan is the prioritisation of pedestrians and cyclists over vehicular traffic, within the gateways. This priority could take a variety of forms, including pedestrianisation and the concept of shared space. In some cases, the narrow street pattern of the medieval core does not allow for segregation, and in these instances, shared spaces are prioritised. 5.6.4.2 Proposed River crossings The Lady Desart Bridge now connects Bateman Quay to John’s Quay. The pedestrian bridge under Ossory Bridge now connects the Boardwalk on the north side of the river to the Linear Park on the south. Three new linkages are proposed over the River Nore, connecting the existing pedestrian and cycle links, see Figure MS4. C5H To further improve and enhance the network of cycling and pedestrian routes in accordance with the recommendations of the Kilkenny Local Area Transport Plan as resources permit. C5I To develop a cycle route between the Eastern Environs and the Breagagh Valley. C5J To investigate the provision of appropriate cycling facilities along the River Nore Linear Park connecting the north of the City with the east and south. C5K To reduce the Council’s carbon footprint through the implementation of the Council’s own cycle scheme, which will encourage staff members to discharge their official duties in a more sustainable way. C5L To invest in cycling and other Smarter Travel projects in support of the compact ’10- minute city’ concept. C5M To monitor and assess the one-way traffic system introduced to Rose Inn Street, High Street and Bateman Quay to determine its suitability for the overall transport strategy for the City.
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 76 The provision of a pedestrian bridge in the vicinity of Talbotsinch would connect the River Nore Linear Park to the Bleach Road and the north-eastern area of the City and the proposed biodiversity park at Dunmore (see Volume 1 Section 8.2.1.2). The provision of a boardwalk along Greensbridge, will connect the southern Nore Linear Park, to the northern element, through the Abbey Quarter Riverside Linear Park. Finally, the provision of an additional crossing located between John’s Bridge and Ossory Bridge would connect St. Canice’s campus to the River Nore Linear Park. Various initiatives can contribute to an increase in walking and cycling. An example of this is the Walking bus, which consists of adults walking groups of pupils to and from school along set routes, with children joining the walking bus at various pick-up points along the route. This programme encourages children to walk, and so get used to this means of travel. Laneways Kilkenny City contains a network of back lanes connecting residential areas to the city centre. The Council proposes to avail of opportunities to undertake improvements of these lanes through surface treatments, lighting and reducing the use by vehicular traffic. Such works will facilitate greater use of these lanes by pedestrians and cyclists enlivening these lanes and encouraging economic activity opportunities. Walking and Cycling Objectives Development Management Requirements for Cycling and Walking • Section 12.5.1 of Volume 1 sets out the detailed requirements for cycling and walking that planning applications must address as part of any planning application. Objectives C5N Complete the demarcation of the Gateways and prioritise pedestrian and cyclist movement within the Gateways. C5O To progress plans for the provision of a pedestrian bridge at Talbotsinch, including the provision of access along the eastern bank of the river up from Greensbridge, to the proposed bio-diversity park at Dunmore as part of the River Nore Linear Park. C5P Construct a Boardwalk at Greensbridge to link the River Nore Riverside Walk with the new Riverside Linear Park in the Abbey Quarter and onwards to the Canal Walk. C5Q To progress plans for the provision of an additional pedestrian bridge between Ossory Bridge and John’s Bridge to connect St. Canice’s campus to the Canal Walk.
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 77 5.7 Public Transport The development of public transport is critical in achieving more sustainable travel patterns and a reduced reliance on the car. The building out of public transport infrastructure is essential for reducing carbon emissions generally and it is expected that with a denser urban structure resulting from a more compact growth strategy, the use of public transport will become more economically viable, more prevalent and more desirable. Bus Services There are four forms of bus services that operate in the City. These are as follows: 1. Kilkenny City Bus Network 2. Hinterland & Inter city services 3. Coach tours 4. School bus services 5.7.1.1 Kilkenny City Bus Network In conjunction with the National Transport Authority, a Local Bus Service for Kilkenny City was launched at the end of 2019. The Kilkenny City Bus Services was referenced by the NDP as an urban centre that would benefit from capital investment in bus services and infrastructure. The service consists of two routes, KK1 and KK2, operated by City Direct and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The two routes combined serve 33 stops, feeding into a central spine crossing St. John’s Bridge to the City Centre, sharing stops at Parliament Street, Market Yard and John Street Upper. Bus shelters are proposed to be rolled out along the two routes. Both routes have circuitous alignments, designed to broaden their catchment areas including areas of high population density and low car ownership. Figure MS5: Existing City Bus Service in Kilkenny City. Source: Transport for Ireland, 2019
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 78 5.7.1.2 Hinterland and Inter-city Services The City is presently served by a number of bus connections to various towns within the county and by a number of inter-city services. In the main, these services set down and pick up passengers at the bus stop on Ormonde Road and at MacDonagh Junction. Bus Éireann and Dublin Coach operate services from MacDonagh junction and Railway station and at the bus stop on Ormonde Road. As there is no formal transport hub in Kilkenny, most regional services stop at Ormond Road, the Parade/ Kilkenny Castle or MacDonagh Junction. 5.7.1.3 Coach tours Coach tour buses are generally facilitated at the larger hotels or near Kilkenny Castle, on the Castle Road. A dedicated bus set down area was provided here during the period of the last Plan. The area of Irishtown and St. Canice’s would benefit from additional coach facilities. The Abbey Quarter Partnership is proposing a temporary parking facility for Coach parking as a temporary use on one of the plots within the Abbey Quarter. 5.7.1.4 School services School services are generally well served in the city, either adjacent to individual schools or in bus bays such as the facility on Gaol Road. These services provide a vital social need and should be accommodated for the convenience and safety of students. The Council will facilitate the provision of bus shelters as appropriate as well as facilitate parking provision for tourist buses where feasible in the city as the need arises and as resources permit. Rail Kilkenny City is connected to the Dublin to Waterford main passenger rail line via a spur from Kilkenny City to Lavistown just east of the City. MacDonagh Railway station, which is an Age-Friendly station, provides a hub for rail and bus services (See Zoning Objective Z6: MacDonagh Railway Station). The RSES has the objective to strengthen rail connectivity, which includes increased frequency of services and reduced journey times between Waterford, Kilkenny City, Carlow and Dublin. The Council supports increased frequency of services and reduced journey times between Kilkenny City and other destinations on the Waterford/Dublin line thereby enhancing the economic corridor between Waterford Metropolitan Area and the Key towns of Kilkenny and Carlow. Taxi Taxis and hackney services are an integral part of the City’s transport network. It is critical that the City is facilitated with adequate taxi services that are readily available at peak demand periods and provide a demand-responsive 24-hour door to- door service. The Council will continue to support Objective C5Qa To identify a permanent coach park to serve Irishtown and the Abbey Quarter.
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 79 improvements in taxi and hackney services in the City and will seek to ensure that all public transport services complement each other through the development of effective interchange opportunities. 5.8 Road Network Kilkenny City Network A road and street hierarchy is essential in order to classify the function, shape and use of all roads and streets in the city. The Kilkenny City Centre Local Area Plan (2005) established a road and street hierarchy for the city centre which defines the function, shape and use of all roads, streets, lanes and slips. This hierarchy will form the basis for determining appropriate forms of traffic management. The classification is based on criteria such as the available road and footpath space, the desirable and necessary volume of traffic, the potential pedestrian and cycle volumes, the surrounding environment and urban form and the destination of traffic on the route. In broad terms the classification in Kilkenny City can be described as follows: Table 5.2: Classification of Streets within Kilkenny City Classification Description Distributor Road Key routes generally providing both vehicular and pedestrian access to the City Centre or providing linkages around the City Centre Primary Streets Routes providing access to main car parks and main delivery routes and also carrying high pedestrian volumes Secondary Streets Predominantly providing local access for vehicles and potentially carrying relatively high pedestrian volumes Pedestrian Thoroughfares Links with high levels of pedestrian activity that are not serving as key vehicular routes Laneways Limited vehicular access routes serving as secondary pedestrian routes Slips Pedestrian only routes usually characterised by stepped formation The Kilkenny Ring Road is a key part of Kilkenny’s road network, comprising the N76, N10 and N77. This orbital route bounds most of the built-up area, stretching from the south-west at Callan Road to the north at Castlecomer Road, as follows: • N76: Callan Road Roundabout to Waterford Road Roundabout; • N10: Waterford Road Roundabout to Hebron Road Roundabout including the Ossory bridge crossing over the River Nore; and • N77: Hebron Road Roundabout to Castlecomer Road Roundabout. There are ten roundabouts along the route connecting to radial routes such as R697, R910, R700, and R712 and a number of local roads providing access to residential areas and the Loughboy IDA Business and Technology Park. Connectivity across the Ring Road to employment areas such as Loughboy and
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 80 Purcellsinch requires improvement to align with the concept of the 10-minute City. This will be addressed in conjunction with the TII. Four road bridges provide connectivity between eastern and western banks of the River Nore, as follows (from south to north): • Ossory Road Bridge: (N10) Part of the Kilkenny Ring Road; • St. John’s Bridge • St. Francis Bridge: Footpaths and cycle lanes on both sides; and • Green’s Bridge: Narrow footpath on one side. Figure MS6 Road Network Achievements Since the last Development Plan, the following roads projects have been completed in and around the City: • Completion of the N76 Callan Road Realignment Scheme. • Completion of phase 1 of the Kilkenny Central Access Scheme incorporating St. Francis Bridge • Completion of R697 Kells Road Improvement Scheme. • In the Breagagh Valley, construction of the link road between the Callan Rd and the Circular road is underway.
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 81 Road Proposals 5.8.3.1 The Central Access Scheme Phase 1 of the Central Access Scheme was completed in 2016, comprising the construction of St. Francis Bridge, a single-carriageway road providing east-west connectivity over the River Nore. It also links the Abbey Quarter to the former Mart Site on the Castlecomer Road. Subsequent phases of the CAS will link the City Centre with the Breagagh Valley/ Loughmacask neighbourhoods. As part of the Loughmacask masterplan process, the line of the Central Access scheme within the masterplan area is under review. The Loughmacask masterplan is currently in progress and a draft plan will be published before the end of 2020. (See Section 2.2.4 Loughmacask.) 5.8.3.2 Breagagh Valley Phase 1 Infrastructure scheme The Breagagh Valley Phase 1 Road scheme will service the emerging Breagagh Valley neighbourhood to the west of the city. This road is under construction from the Callan Road to the Kilmanagh Road and includes an upgrading of the Kilmanagh Road for approximately 800 metres west of the City. This will be completed in 2021. 5.8.3.3 Western Bypass The Western Bypass would complete the Ring Road of Kilkenny city, from the existing roundabout at the Castlecomer Road (N78) to the Callan Road (N76) and connect onwards to the Waterford Road roundabout. The length of this proposed road is approximately 7km and a line has been reserved for the future delivery of same. See Figure CS4 Zoning. Phase 1 of the Western Bypass, the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension, will connect the Castlecomer Road at Junction 10 to the R693 Freshford Road, approximately 2.5km north of Kilkenny City Centre, see Figure CS4 Zoning. The length of the proposed scheme is approximately 1.5km. The project will include for the provision of a bridge crossing over the River Nore and pedestrian and cyclist facilities will be incorporated along the City side of the scheme. Access to National Roads The national road network caters for the efficient and safe movement of long-distance traffic. The network also provides strategic links for the towns within the county and within the South-East region. In order to protect the investment in these roads and to maintain their primary function, it will be necessary to restrict access and junctions to the network in accordance with Spatial Planning and National Roads - Guidelines for Planning Authorities40. 40 Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 2012
- Movement and Mobility Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 82 National Road Objectives Road Objectives C5R To develop and agree an appropriately planned policy response to access the N10 roundabout at Blanchfieldslands near Hebron House in Kilkenny City. C5S To develop a link road from the roundabout at Blanchfields lands on the N10/motorway access roundabout to the old Dublin road (R712) in conjunction with TII. C5T To investigate the provision of additional cycle and pedestrian crossing facilities to connect across the Ring Road, in conjunction with TII. C5U To implement the following Roads Objectives: (See Figure MS7 Road Objectives) R1: Reserve the proposed line of the western by-pass for the city from the Castlecomer Road to the Waterford Road free from development, including for a river crossing and seek approval from An Bord Pleanála for Phase 1 of the Western By-pass, the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension. R2: Complete the Outrath Road Improvement Scheme and link the Bohernatounish Road to the Outrath Road. R3: To provide for a link road through development lands linking the Outrath Road through to the existing Smithlands business park and onto the Waterford Road. R4: Reserve the proposed line of a new road link from the Callan Road to the Waterford Road roundabout free from development. R5: Reserve the line of Phase 2 of the Central Access Scheme from the Waterbarrack roundabout to the roundabout on the Kilcreene Road. R6: Provide for a road connection from the Freshford Road to the site reserved for a proposed secondary school within the Loughmacask masterplan area. R7: To progress the route selection, planning and development of a road connecting the R695 Kilmanagh Road to the R693 Freshford Road. R8: To progress the planning and development of a route connection from the existing roundabout on the N10 to the R712 (old Dublin Road) and to reserve such route free from development. R9: To progress the planning and development of a route connection from the Hebron Business park to the N10 and the R712 via R8 and to reserve this route free from development. R10: To provide a second entrance to the Hebron Business Park from the Hebron Road. R11: To implement the traffic strategy and road cross sections for the Hebron area in accordance with the Hebron Road Urban Design Strategy.
Source Kilkenny County Council: Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027 — Volume 2 (2021–2027) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.