South-East Greenway updates heard at meeting
The mural was created by Street Art Ink. Credit: Ferrybank Community Newsletter
The latest updates of the South-East Greenway were heard at the Piltown Municipal meeting.
Director of Services for Kilkenny County Council Ian Gardner informed the Council on the recent developments along the Greenway.
According to the latest report, work is expected to be completed on the Abbey Road end later this year: "At the Abbey Road end of the scheme, the project ties in with the North Quays project where works are ongoing to facilitate access from the Greenway onto Abbey Road.
"The Greenway team are engaging with Waterford County Council in relation to a timeline for completion of these works which would allow opening of this section of greenway. This is currently predicted to be November 2025."
The Council praised the work of Street Art Ink over their new creation: a 160m long public art installation that will run from Waterford to New Ross.
According to the Council, the art was funded by the Creative Ireland Scheme and "inspired by the local area, the mural captures key landmarks such as The Pope’s Tower and Ferrybank Grotto."
"Kilkenny County Council would also like to thank Graham Carew who assisted during the design and public consultation process."
The stretch of Greenway between Curraghmore and Balyverneen is expected to go to tender. The report stated: "It is intended to tender the section of Greenway between Curraghmore and Balyverneen as a single construction contract. This would involve a length of approximately 9km.
"Fehily Timoney, project consultants, are progressing the detailed design of this section which includes the design of any structures. The landowner liaison team is engaging with affected landowners to agree final design layouts and any accommodation works proposals along this section."
Among the other outstanding lots, the updates are as follows: "The acquisition of land from CIE at the Rosbercon Trailhead is progressing. The masterplan for the Rosbercon Trailhead is well progressed and will go to Part 8 in October 2025.
"The number of surveys have been completed for the Red Bridge – Mount Elliott Tunnel section which are informing the detailed design."
It is understood that some 14km of the 24km’s of Greenway are now completed or substantially completed.
For the Greenway link to Glenmore, the detailed design is in progressions. The report stated: "Kilgallen & Partners have commenced work on the detail design including procurement of surveys. As the detailed design progresses, discussions with the relevant parties have recommenced regarding the acquisition of lands required to deliver the project."
Final designs are being drawn up for the South-North Access Road in Ferrybank: "Appointed consultant working on final design drawings for road and trailhead car park. Preparation of land acquisition / CPO drawings is progressing and once finalised further engagement with landowners will take place."
On the Greenway link to Slieverue: "Efforts are continuing to identify potential funding streams to advance this project through detail design, land acquisition and construction stage."
Finally, the Woodstock to South East Greenway Link (Nore Valley Greenway) is in Phase One, aka the Concept and Feasibility stage. A Public Consultation has been completed and the Feasibility is being finalised. As per the report: "Constraints and Opportunity Report along with an Agronomy Report are currently with TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) for comment."
