User:Mrchris/Kilkenny Inner Relief Road

The Kilkenny Inner Relief Road was first proposed in 1978. Kilkenny Borough Council study recommendation for ‘a new Bridge across the River Nore, so located as to provide a direct connection between Wolfe Tone Street and St. Canice’s Place, plus a new link road extending Dominic Street to Lord Edward Street/Granges Road.’ (1978 Kilkenny City Traffic and Land Use Review study). KCAS-Presentation-to-Council-July-2014

Previous work completed included River Bed site investigations (1984), Bridge Report and Design (1985), CPO 2 (1985), Inner Relief Road (Dean Street), new Waterbarracks Bridge and associated approach roads (1987), CPO 2 (1988) Inner Relief Road Vicar Street (1988), and in 2000 Development Approval sought for Stage 2 of Inner Relief Road (west of Waterbarracks) was not approved.

Following the failure of An Bord Pleanála to pass the KCAS scheme, "approximately 3.5 kilometres of single carriageway road in Kilkenny City and including a cable–Stay Bridge over the river Nore", the Kilkenny County Council REVISED documents and resubmitted CAS, "for the construction of 700 metres approximately of single carriageway road in Kilkenny City which includes a bridge with isolated pier supports over the River Nore."

Inner Relief Road (1)
Kilkenny Borough Council study recommendation for ‘a new Bridge across the River Nore, so located as to provide a direct connection between Wolfe Tone Street and St. Canice’s Place, plus a new link road extending Dominic Street to Lord Edward Street/Granges Road.’ (1978 Kilkenny City Traffic and Land Use Review study). KCAS-Presentation-to-Council-July-2014

Inner Relief Road (2)
Kilkenny Borough Council objective to ‘provide a new city centre bridge, between Wolfe Tone Street and St. Canice’s Place and a new Bridge and approach roads connecting Dominic Street to Butt’s Green’. (Kilkenny City Development Plan 1980).

Kilkenny Borough Council were committed to the implementation of the findings of the 1978 Kilkenny Traffic Review and Land Use Study

Map 2 (John St./Wolfe Tone St./St. Canice’s Place/Dean Street/Domincic St./Stephen St./Old Callan Rd./Callan Rd.)

Other work competed.
 * River Bed site investigations (1984)
 * Bridge Report and Design (1985)
 * CPO 2 (1985) Inner Relief Road (Dean Street)

Inner Relief Road (3)
Objective to - construct a new 10m carriageway, bridge across the River Nore together with associated approach roads to provide a direct link between Wolfe Tone Street and St. Canice’s Place

•Map 3 (John St./Wolfe Tone Street/St. Canice’s Place/ Dean Street/Kennyswell Road/Circular Road/Callan Road)

To implement the recommendations of the Traffic and Land Use Plan 1978 generally. (1986 Kilkenny City Development Plan)

Actions further to City Development Plan provisions;
 * New Waterbarracks Bridge and associated approach roads (1987)
 * CPO 2 (1988) Inner Relief Road Vicar Street (1988)

Inner Relief Road (4)
Objective to complete Phase 2 of the Inner Relief Road which will link the Callan Road with Wolfe Tone Street via Dean Street and St. Canice’s Place and a new Nore Bridge south of Green’s Bridge.’

Actions further to City Development Plan provisions;
 * Kilkenny Traffic Study (Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce) reiterates need for new bridge crossing linking Wolfe Tone St. and St. Canice’s Pl. (1995)
 * Kilkenny Traffic Study (Kilkenny Local Authorities) reiterates need for new bridge crossing linking Wolfe Tone Street and St. Canice’s Place (1996)

In 2000 Development Approval sought for Stage 2 of Inner Relief Road (west of Waterbarracks) but proposals not approved.

Inner Relief Road (5) - No Bridge
Objective to develop "the Inner Relief Road from Kilcreene to Callan Road and to Freshford Road." The Bridge route i.e. Kilcreene to Dublin Road was dropped from the Development Plan. (2002 Kilkenny City & Environs Development Plan)


 * 2004 Western Environs Local Area Plan supported the development of the road links above and stated that the Plan is intrinsically linked to completion of the new city centre bridge
 * A 2004 variation to a 2002 Plan reintroduced the new bridge crossing and Castlecomer Road link.

Inner Relief Road (6)
Roads objective to ‘connect St. Canice’s Place to Wolfe Tone Street and Castlecomer Road.’ (2005 Kilkenny City Centre Local Area Plan)

Actions further to the 2004 Variation and 2005 Kilkenny City Centre Plan.


 * 2006 Malone O’Regan Scott Wilson appointed to provide consultancy services
 * 2007 General Public Consultations and Information sessions
 * 2007 Specific consultations with Michael Street and Wolfe Tone Street Residents

Central Access Scheme
Policy to ‘reserve free from development the line of the proposed Central Access Scheme and to complete the Central Access Scheme within the Plan period.’ (2008 Kilkenny City & Environs Development Plan) Approved by all Members

Following the failure of An Bord Pleanála to pass the KCAS scheme, "approximately 3.5 kilometres of single carriageway road in Kilkenny City and including a cable–Stay Bridge over the river Nore", the Kilkenny County Council REVISED documents and resubmitted CAS, "for the construction of 700 metres approximately of single carriageway road in Kilkenny City which includes a bridge with isolated pier supports over the River Nore."