New 1km Ferrybank link road will connect vital areas of the Waterford suburb
Aerial view of the link road.
The development of a link road between the Abbey Road and Belmont in Ferrybank was raised at a recent meeting of the Piltown Municipal District Council. Submissions are currently open for public consultation on the link road.
Senior Executive at Kilkenny County Council, Marie Phelan said: "There are two public consultations that are open at the moment. One is the south-north access road in Ferrybank, where submissions can be made until October 25. Also the Greenway southern connectivity link to Slieverue, where submissions can be made until October 25 as well."
The south-north access road incorporates the 'South East Greenway Trailhead' car park at Ferrybank.
According to documents provided by Cllr Tomás Breathnach (Labour): "Kilkenny County Council gave notice under a Part 8 public consultation process on Friday, September 13, of its intention to develop a 940m south-north access in Ferrybank from the end of the access road serving Clover Meadows to the access road serving Abbeygate/ Ross Abbey Shopping Centre.
"The development will include a traffic-signal controlled crossroads northeast of the Abbeygate Roundabout and another southeast of the Belmont Road Roundabout.
"It will also include a road over-bridge over the Ferrybank to New Ross Greenway, new pedestrian and cyclist facilities, provision for future bus-stops and provision for a new car park for the Greenway, accommodating cars, buses, bicycles, toilets and e-charging facilities.
"A link to the Greenway from the car park will be provided with public lighting along the new south-north access route and to the Greenway car park."
Acting Director of Services for Kilkenny County Council, Ian Gardner, also provided details on the scheme.
He wrote: "The proposed trailhead car park provides for 172 parking bays, consisting of 160 standard bays, 10 disabled parking bays and 2 coach bays, with 20% of the car parking bays to accommodate e-cars.
"The proposals also include a toilet block, a food and beverage kiosk, bike parking, public lighting and landscaping."
The planning proposals are in line with the Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. According to planning documents: "The transport strategy will see the development of sustainable travel options to support and facilitate improved access to Waterford city centre from the wider urban area, north and south of the river, by walking, cycling and public transport, including provision for park and ride facilities in tandem with the green route, and additional cycle lanes."
To have your say on the scheme, go to consult.kilkenny.ie
