CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Traffic Considerations The feed back resulting from public consultation did cause us to revisit the traffic analyses that had been undertaken previously What is the purpose of the scheme? Is it really needed? Are there practical alternatives? Will the reduced scheme ( i.e ommision of roundabouts and Irishtown link) be adequate?

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Existing Traffic Conditions

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Traffic Summary 90% of trips have origin or destination or both in the City Existing bridges carry more traffic than desirable Bridge Capacity2006 pm Peak Hr Recorded/verified Ring Road Green’s Bridge John’s Bridge

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Traffic Summary Traffic is predicted to grow substantially between now and 2020 Traffic management and modal shift may reduce forecast flows by %

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Traffic Summary 2014 Flows 1.Do minimum(i.e no Scheme) – even with ring road widened to dual carriageway, Greens Bridge and Johns Bridge will carry nearly 3x desirable flow. Severe congestion in city centre for substantial parts of day. Traffic movement will come to a halt. 2.Loughmacask Road and Link to Western Environs. Will provide relief to some streets in west side of city but will hsve no benefit in city centre. Green’s Bridge and Johns Bridge will have 3x capacity flows. Severe congestion in city centre for long periods of the day.

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Traffic Summary 2014 Flows 3.Construct the Loughmacask Sestion and Ring Road North Bridge only – In this scenario 900 vehicles would use the new north bridge at peak hour.This attracts some traffic from Greens Bridge and Johns Bridge. Increased flow on Kells Rd, Bateman’s Quay Stephen St, Dominic St, Dean St, St Canice’s Place and Vicar St. Decrease on Castlecomer Rd. Will do very little for city centre. Green’s Bridge and John’s Bridge will still carry more than 2 times desirable and greater flows than present 4.Complete Ring Road right around the City –.There will be a general reduction in city centre traffic. However Greens Bridge and Johns Bridge predicted to carry 30% more traffic in 2014 than in 2006 (more than 2x desirable flow).. This would cause congestion in city centre for substantial parts of day

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Traffic Summary 2014 Flows 5.The Central Access Scheme – will bring substantial relief to Green’s Bridge and significant relief to John’s bridge, but….. both carry above desirable flow in 2014 unless other measures implemented. New river Nore Crossing predicted to carry 1700 – 2000 vph. Increased flows on Castlecomer Rd, Wolfe Tone St, Dean St, St Canice’s Place 6.Central Access Scheme plus Kilkenny Ring Road completion – Substantial relief to city centre streets, including bridges. With traffic management and modal shift, flows on all city centre streets close to desirable capacities.

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY What happens next? ActivityStartFinish Approval of scheme/EIS by An Bord Pleanala Jun 2008Dec 2008 Ground Investigations Aug 2008Nov 2008 Land Acquisition and CPOMay 2008Dec 2008 Phase 1 - Detail DesignNov 2008Jul 2009 Phase 1- Tender and AwardAug 2009Dec 2009 Phase 1 - ConstructionMar 2010Aug 2011

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Construction Phasing/Cost PhaseElements of SchemeCon stru Est Cost 1 Castlecomer Road to Dean Street, including River Nore Crossing 2011 €12m 2 Kilmanagh Road to Waterbarrack Roundabout, links Western Environs to City Centre 2012 €5m 3 Kennyswell Roundabout to Freshford Road 2013 €8m

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Mobility Management Parking Management –Reinforcement of parking regulations –On-Street parking spaces for short term users and residents –Parking pricing strategy to encourage the use of multi storey car parks. –Disabled parking permits. –Park and walk/ride on outer city ring. Soft Modes –Cycle network plan on 30km of radial route to be implemented. –Improved capacity on street for pedestrians, John Street, High Street, The Parade, Kieran Street. –Riverside Walkways. –Nore Pedestrian Bridge. Public Transport –Eco friendly buses (2) to serve central business district –Bus transport system for suburbs. –Modern bus stops 7no. in inner city ring.

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Mobility Management Traffic Management One way system for John Street, High Street and Bateman Quay. –Coordination of traffic signal groups. –Restriction on right turning movements. Mobility Management –Promotion of company travel plans. –Promotion of school route plans. –Signage improvements. –Real time parking information. Accessibility –Street crossing points to appropriate standard. –Street furniture and signage to be audited –Improved footpath space for mobility impaired persons.

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY

Video model of how Dean Street might look in future

CENTRAL ACCESS SCHEME FOR THE CITY OF KILKENNY Questions and Contributions