Kilkenny Central Access Scheme, previously Kilkenny Inner Relief Road Scheme is a controversial new road, improvement of existing roads and junctions and a new concrete bridge over the River Nore later named St. Francis Bridge, with provisions for footpaths and cycle lanes throughout. CAS comprises 4.5 kilometers of single carriageway road that is 7.3 metres wide. The scheme proved to be controversial as the route of the completed road will bring heavy traffic through residential areas, also the route will bring heavy traffic through the centre of medieval Irishtown section of the city. The Central Access Scheme was officially opened on 23 May 2017.
History
The Inner Relief Road was first proposed in 1978 as a means of providing access to brewery traffic to the brewery itself, which has since closed. Kilkenny city is currently surrounded by two thirds of a ring-road and the completion of this ring-road is seen by some as a greater priority for alleviating Kilkenny's traffic problems as they stand. Kilkenny County Council remained resolved that progress in the CAS project should continue ahead of completion to the outer ring road.
Objectives
The Council’s objectives in providing the scheme were as follows:
To build a unified city centre with the River Nore at its heart, with strong connectivity between High Street, The old Mart and McDonagh Junction.
Improve access to the city centre and provide for economic development;
Reduce the impact of road traffic and private car domination on the city centre and concentrate the city's traffic through Dean Street; and enable partial pedestrianization of John’s Street and High Street.
Improved accessibility for emergency services and access to health facilities and hospitals;
Make provision for a shopping centre development on the west side of the city without creating traffic problems in existing residential areas.
Provide access to the undeveloped "old Mart site". The site was refused planning permission to be developed into a shopping centre.
Route
The road commences at the Kilmanagh Road and passes northwards through a roundabout in the townland of Kilcreene. From Kilcreene, the CAS extends north eastwards to the Waterbarrack roundabout and along the existing Dean Street to St Canice’s Place. A new road was then built from the Kilmanagh road to the Waterbarrack, with another stem going from the Kennyswell roundabout to the Freshford Road. The last section from Kennyswell over the River Nore via the new St. Francis Bridge to the Castlecomer road required the demolition of three houses in Vicar Street. The three houses formed part of the medieval manse house of the prebendary of Tiscoffin and were demolished to build the new road.
Design
The design of the Inner Relief was by RoadMalone O’Regan/Scott Wilson, Consulting Engineers who were engaged by Kilkenny Council.
Funding
Over €11.6 million was allocated to non-national roads in Kilkenny in 2005 under the now-defunct National Development Plan. The NDP was funded primarily by the Exchequer with support from the EU Structural Funds. The funding was designated for work on projects such as the R695/R887 Central Access Scheme and the new River Nore bridge.
Concerns raised
The route dissects the medieval core of the old Irishtown of Kilkenny, one of the most historic quarters of the city. Large protests took place, with as many as 2,000 people protesting, a significant number given the small population of Kilkenny as a whole.