New development will ‘totally transform’ section of Kilkenny city: Minister
THE Kilkenny Western Environs Phase 1 Infrastructure Scheme will “totally transform” an area of land close to Kilkenny city and will lay the foundations for the development of three new schools and more than 500 new homes, Minister John Paul Phelan has said.
The Kilkenny TD, who turned the sod on the 2.3km long scheme on Monday (pictured above), said the works would be “transformative”.
Minister Phelan added: “This road has been spoken about for over 20 years. Now 75% of the cost, or €6.5 million, is being provided by the Department for these works. They will connect the Callan Road to the Circular Road and the Kilmanagh Road, onto the Water Barracks roundabout.
“This is the next stage in works which link the Western Environs and the Freshford Road and will provide the infrastructure for three schools and 500 plus homes at the very least. This is the complete opposite to what happened on the Eastern Environs where the homes and development came first, then the infrastructure.”
Minister Phelan admitted the timeline for the project ““tight”, but he added: “I’m told that it will take just 18 months and the ambition is to have it well on target.”
The scheme extends to 2.3km in length and includes for a new distributor road from the N76 Callan Road to the Circular Road at Robertshill, widening of the existing Circular Road from Robertshill to its junction with the Kilmanagh Road, and widening of the R695 Kilmanagh Road to Drakelands Nursing Home.
The proposed road is single carriageway with footpaths and cycleways on both sides and public lighting throughout.
