For Immediate Release

Press Release 1:

Kilkenny City Continues to be a Major Growth Hub in Southern Region and Sustainable Transport Options are Needed 

Kilkenny City, the fourth-largest settlement in the Southern Region with a population of 27,184 as of 2022, has become the largest employment centre in the state outside of the five metropolitan areas.  Kilkenny’s strong employment growth is attributable to ongoing strong performances in the fintech, agri-food and tourism sectors. The investment by Abbott Laboratories in a major new manufacturing plant will result in the creation of over 1,000 jobs.  Population projections indicate a significant increase of 35% by 2040 on 2016 figures, underscoring the city’s growing importance as a regional hub. 

To meet this anticipated growth, Kilkenny City is set to expand through the development of new neighbourhoods at Loughmacask and Breagagh Valley.  Currently, over 1,000 housing units have been approved in these areas. The new neighbourhoods are integral to Kilkenny City’s broader four-neighbourhood development strategy, which also includes the established communities of Newpark and Loughboy.  Both Newpark and Loughboy boast vibrant community centres that offer essential services including retail, education, and health, helping to reduce overall transport demand by providing amenities close to residents.  The development of neighbourhoods together with ongoing development and regeneration efforts in the city, such as the housing proposals for Patrick St. and the Butts Regeneration Plan will play a crucial role in meeting the city’s rising housing demand.    

Key to ensuring a high quality of life for residents is the presence of green spaces/parklands and safe, attractive walking and cycling routes in residential areas.  The design of the new neighbourhoods incorporates parks and attractive active travel routes optimising the use of natural amenities such as the River Breagagh.  This will offer residents the opportunity to connect with nature as part of their daily lives and on their regular commutes.  

Recognising the need for sustainable transport in light of the city’s growth, Kilkenny County Council is in the process of developing a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.  Historically, Irish settlement patterns followed the waterways and subsequently the rail network.  In the last few decades, the Irish transport system has been designed around the car, leading to forced car use, growing emissions and sprawling development.  Simultaneously, public transport has been under resourced resulting in inadequate and unattractive services. As Kilkenny City’s population grows, continued reliance on cars will exacerbate issues such as congestion, noise, air pollution, and inequity in access to transport. To enhance the liveability of the city it will be necessary to reallocate greater public space to amenities, sustainable urban drainage systems, greening, increased space for walking and cycling and social uses. 

To provide for the mobility needs of a larger population and reduce the dependency on cars, Kilkenny County Council is committed to firstly reducing overall transport demand through the four-neighbourhood concept and providing alternative transport solution to reduce the reliance on cars.  Solutions include accommodating an improved public transport system integrated with safe walking and cycling infrastructure.  Park and Stride and Park and Ride facilities will cater for those with car dependency such as rural commuters.  Although greater priority will be given to pedestrians and cyclists in the city centre it will still remain accessible by car, particularly for those with mobility issues and the emphasis will be on the reduction of through traffic.

Other key projects in the planning stages that will contribute to improved mobility in the city are the northern extension of the Ring Road, additional road links for the western environs, safer crossings of the existing Ring Road, and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist facilities throughout the city with particular emphasis on junctions and routes around schools. 

These initiatives are designed to support Kilkenny City’s sustainable growth and ensure that its transport infrastructure can meet the demands of a thriving, expanding city in a sustainable manner.

Ends

 

For further information, please contact:

Caitriona.corr@kilkennycoco.ie

083 0238790

Download Map - City Centre and Four Neighbourhoods.pdf (size 1.3 MB)