COMHAIRLE CHONTAE CILL CHAINNIGH

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL

Environmental Impact Statement in respect of

The Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension - (Freshford Road to Castlecomer Road)

Section 51 of the Roads Act, 1993

Planning and Development Acts 2000 – 2013.

Planning and Development Regulations, 2000 – 2013.

Kilkenny County Council in accordance with Section 51 of the Roads Act, 1993, Section 215 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended by the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 hereby gives notice that it proposes to seek the approval of An Bord Pleanála for the above development.

Kilkenny County Council proposes to construct an extension to the Kilkenny City Ring Road between the N77 Castlecomer Road and the R693 Freshford Road to be known as the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension.

The proposed development is a Roads objective in the Kilkenny City and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014. This Development Plan states ‘Reserve free from development the proposed line of the western by-pass for the city from the Castlecomer Road to the Callan Road, including for a river crossing’. The scheme proposed under this application represents Phase 1 of the western by-pass.

The key objectives of the proposed Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension include the following:

• Reduce congestion in the City Centre and Green’s Bridge.
• Complement the proposed Central Access Scheme.
• Reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles within Kilkenny City.
• Provide an extension to the N77 Ring Road connecting the Freshford Road and the northwest of the City to the existing Ring Road.
• Further develop the Strategic Road Network for the region, connecting the M9 to the M8 via the Kilkenny Ring Road. The Scheme provides a reliable, safe and efficient link between the M9 and the east and south-east of the country and the M8 at Urlingford and north and north-west of the country.
• Facilitate the promotion of walking and cycling.
• Improve traffic safety and convenience.

The key components of the proposed scheme are listed hereunder:

a) The provision of approximately 1.5 km of single carriageway.

b) The construction of a Roundabout on the R693 between Aut Even Hospital and LS6600 Thornback Road.

c) The retro-fitting of the N77 Castlecomer Road Roundabout to facilitate a fourth arm to connect the proposed road.

d) The provision of a 1.8m wide footpath and a 1.75m wide off road cycle track along the city side of the proposed road.

e) The construction of a three-span bridge structure over the River Nore with a centre span of 45m and edge spans of 22.5m each, supported by abutments at each end.

f) The provision of 16no. culverts along the River Nore floodplain to the west of the Bleach Road, consisting of 13no. arched culverts 10m wide x 3.6m high and 3no. box culverts 10m wide x 4.5m high.

g) The construction of an underpass for the Bleach Road under the proposed road, the underpass will accommodate the movement of cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

h) The provision of 4no. box culverts to the east of the Bleach Road to accommodate farm underpasses and allow for the movement of water in flood events.

i) various chambers and ducting works to be undertaken at various locations within the site for use by the Authorities, Utilities and Service Providers and Private Utility Services and the like;

j) various landscape environmental and mitigation works;

k) various drainage works and associated drainage outfalls;

l) various fencing and vehicle / pedestrian safety barrier systems;

m) various signing and lighting works;

n) various earthworks;

o) various accommodation works including accesses to properties and lands; and

p) various ancillary works.

The Council will apply to An Bord Pleanála for approval of the proposed road development under Section 51 of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2013).

A copy of the Environmental Impact Statement may be inspected free of charge from Friday 13^th December, 2013 to Monday, 24^th February, 2014 inclusive (excluding Bank Holidays) at the following locations;

• Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny - between the hours of 9.00am to 1.00pm & 2.00pm to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
  
• Carnegie Library, John’s Quay, Kilkenny City. – between the hours of 10.00am to 1.00pm & 2.00pm to 8.00pm Tuesday & Wednesday, 10.00am to 1.00pm & 2.00pm to 5.00pm Thursday & Friday and 10.00am to 1.30pm Saturdays.

A copy of the full Environmental Impact Statement may be purchased for a fee of €300 at the Office of Kilkenny County Council, County Buildings, John Street, Kilkenny. A copy of the non-technical summary of the Environmental Impact Statement may be purchased for a fee of €10. The full Environmental Impact Statement is available on C.D. for a fee of €10 and can be downloaded free of charge at
http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/Northern-Ring-EIS

Any person can within the period from Friday 13^th December, 2013 to Monday, 24^th February, 2014 inclusive, on payment of the prescribed fee of €50, make a written submission/observation to An Bord Pleanála, Strategic Infrastructure Developments Section, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, in relation to

i. The implications of the proposed development for the proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned, and

ii. the likely effects on the environment of the proposed road development

If carried out.

A compulsory purchase order will be required in respect of the proposed road development and where written objections are made, an oral hearing may be held.

The Board may hold an oral hearing in relation to the likely effects of the proposal. Evidence in relation to the likely effects on the environment may be given at the oral hearing. Before making its decision on the application for approval, the Board must consider the environmental impact statement, any written submissions made on it and not withdrawn and, where an oral hearing is held the report and any recommendations of the inspector holding the oral hearing where evidence was given in relation to the likely effects on the environment of the proposal. Public notice of any oral hearing will be given at a later date. The Board may, by order, approve a proposed road development with or without modifications or may refuse to approve such a development.

Further information may be obtained from the Road Design Department, Dean Street, Kilkenny. Telephone 056-7794300

John Mulholland

Director of Services

Roads, Emergency Services and Corporate Affairs

Date, 11^th December 2013.