Kilkenny Borough Council is preparing to put in place a one-way-system for three city centre streets while also establishing a pedestrian priority zone.
John Street, Rose Inn Street and High Street are to become one way streets in a major renewal and revitalisation programme for the area.
County manager Joe Crockett said that he hoped that the business community in the area would engage with the council.
“This is a fundamental change, a very expensive scheme. We have money put aside from last year and there is also money from this year’s budget. On-street parking charges will also go some way towards funding this project and it should be pointed out that we are re-investing money back into the city to make it more competitive and more beautiful.”
However, Cllr Joe Reidy pointed out that if the bid to instate the Central Access Scheme (Inner Relief Road ) is not approved, these plans could all be placed in jeopardy.
“If the Central Access Scheme fails, then all of these plans could fail. Whoever thinks that the CAS is not a postive move for the city is looking at the world through Stevie Wonder glasses. If it doesn’t go ahead - it will sound the death knell for Kilkenny. If it is not passed, the tumbleweed will roll down High Street,” he predicted.
Cllr Sean O’ hArgain agreed and said that the CAS was central to the improvement of Kilkenny city.
Part of the city centre renewal and investment scheme will include the widening of footpaths, the undergrounding of overhead services and the renewal of underground services.
A draft mobility management plan will be brought before the members early in the new year and this will be followed by a proposal to go forward for planning.
It’s proposed that work would commence at the completion of the Parade project later in 2009.
