'Frustration' at North Quays traffic woes
Ferrybank before the North Quays project.
Last week, the Piltown Municipal District held their first meeting after the General Election.
Councillors, fresh off the campaign trail, spoke about the reoccurring the issues they heard on the doorsteps of Ferrybank. According to councillors, the North Quays project and its accompanying traffic woes were the key concerns for residents.
At the meeting, Director of Services for Kilkenny County Council Ian Gardner gave the latest update on the North Quays development.
According to the North Quays Project team, the sustainable transport bridge is on track to be delivered in Spring 2025. The report stated: “The main river works for the substructure of the sustainable transport bridge are now complete, and the remaining river works to build temporary support piers and pier protection systems will be completed for the arrival of the bridge superstructure from Belgium next Spring.
“In the meantime, the fit out of the bridge superstructure with the automated mechanical and electrical plant needed for the opening of the central bridge superstructure with the automated mechanical and electrical plant needed for the opening of the central bridge spans is progressing in Belgium. The construction of the new public plaza area on the south quays is ongoing and foundation slabs are complete.”
Mr Gardner said: “The main frame of the transport hub has been completed. I know that flood defences for the railway line are due to commence shortly as well.”
In recent months, the project garnered controversy when it was revealed that the proposed shuttle bus, one of the highlights of the project, would not be installed.
With the construction of the North Quays, the traffic conditions between Ferrybank and Waterford City have deteriorated, despite the temporary traffic calming measures.
According to Cathaoirleach Ger Frisby (Fianna Fáil): “On the canvas for the General Election, a huge issue that comes up the whole time [is] that the traffic lights are lasting for about 10 seconds. Traffic is up to Belmont Road most mornings.”
He asked Mr Gardner to relay the issues back to the project team, and the contractors BAM.
He added: “It can’t be hard to get the signals working properly.”
“It’s a huge issue that’s causing great frustration.”
Cllr Pat Dunphy (Fine Gael) raised the issue of the transport bridge: “A particular kind of bus going back and forth is badly needed.”
Cllr Fidelis Doherty (Fine Gael) said that the decision to remove the shuttle bus directly contradicts the entire point of sustainable transport.
She said: “The whole ethos of sustainability goes out the window.
“If it isn’t going to be in place or if it isn’t going to be functional then you’d have to worry about what else is not going to be in place.”
