Written answer
Road Projects
Kilkenny’s Northern Ring Road project is progressing through the options stage, supported by €500,000 in State funding and ongoing Departmental liaison.
154. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Transport for an update of the northern ring road for Kilkenny. [67470/26]
Comment on this
In accordance with Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Work on such roads is funded from Councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Any new road project that seeks State funding is assessed by my Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and my Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works, it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects with these requirements in mind.
The Kilkenny City North Transport Project (Kilkenny Ring Road) aims to reduce city centre congestion and improve cross-river connectivity via a potential northern ring road extension.
In January 2023, in line with Government requirements, Kilkenny County Council produced a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension, and a draft was forwarded to my Department for review. Since then, both the Public Spending Code and the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework (TAF) guidance were updated.
In 2024, following the provision of funding from my Department, Kilkenny County Council submitted an updated Project Outline Document (POD) for the Kilkenny City North Transport Project.
While this process was underway, funding was also allocated for traffic/junction analysis in the Butts Green area of the city, to further assess and better understand traffic patterns.
In 2025, following a review of the POD by my Department, €200,000 was allocated to the Kilkenny Northern Transport Project to allow Kilkenny County Council to progress it to Phase 2 - Options Stage.
In 2026, Kilkenny County Council appointed a design consultant to progress the Options Stage. An additional €300,000 was allocated by my Department, and officials will continue to liaise with Kilkenny County Council as the project progresses.