Close to three-quarters of a million euro’s been allocated to 13 projects in Carlow and Kilkenny under the Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund.
Eight in Carlow will share €460,000 will five in Kilkenny between them get €286,000 to allow for the re-creation of a number of popular open spaces and facilities according to local FG TD John Paul Phelan.
Local authorities were invited to apply to the funding stream in late April for short term measures which would enhance outdoor urban space and improve walking and cycling facilities.
Deputy Phelan said the local funding, totalling €746,000, would support projects such as kerb widening to facilitate outdoor dining, new on-street furniture, improved cycling facilities, and traffic management changes that prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.
He says “This funding was prioritised to ensure that local authorities in Carlow and Kilkenny have the resources they need to help communities enjoy a safe outdoor summer”, Deputy Phelan commented. “The measures are now being introduced as quickly as possible to support the gradual re-opening of society in a way that both takes into account public health guidelines and allows communities to thrive once again.”
The Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund is being administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of its overall national funding programme.
Funding to Carlow County Council will result in the following:
- Fairgreen Public Realm Improvements: Street furniture: benches, tables & planters, upgrade walking routes through the Fairgreen Area, create seating areas, provision of signage, enhancement of public lighting
- Tullow Riverbank Outdoor Area: Modify existing parking spaces and provide paved / covered area on existing grassed riverside public area to provide seating / social outdoor space
- Hanover Park Outdoor Classroom & Permeability Link: 1. Provide outdoor seating area and improvements to existing gazebo to create outdoor classroom / performance area to within town centre zone 2. Renew old footway along clear desire line to provide cycle & pedestrian permeability link.
- Muinebheag National School Zone Improvements: Regularise traffic management arrangements, parking layout and public space amenity including seating to maximise public space in the vicinity of two Primary Schools in Bagenalstown.
- Carlow Skate Park Public Seating Area: This proposal is to provide suitable seating in the vicinity of the skate park. . This proposal is to provide parking control measures such as bollards, possible parking bays and upgrade the pedestrian/cycle/skate links to local car parks.
- Tinnahinch Streetscape Improvements: Construct build outs consisting of new kerbing, bollards signage and suitable paving to facilitate outdoor gathering & seating areas in the town centre zone. These areas will also serve to calm traffic and improve the streetscape on main Street and the Quay
- Borris One way system and Enhancement Scheme: Create One Way Traffic in a NE direction along the link Road from Viaduct to R702 including associated road markings, signage, new kerbing & footpath and pedestrian crossing.
- Bicycle parking/outdoor seating: Bicycle parking/outdoor seating
Funding to Kilkenny County Council will result in the following:
- Footpath improvements to provide connectivity on Rockshire Road, Ferrybank: The scheme aims to provide dedicated pedestrian crossing facilities and consistent footpath arrangements on the Rockshire Road.
- Thomastown Scouts Den: Pedestrianisation of Chapel Lane allowing safe access for walking and cycling to the Thomastown Scouts Den. Formal realigning of the car park at the Scouts Den and viewing area to allow safe access to outdoor seating
- Works to Facilitate Active Travel Route from Northwestern Environs of Kilkenny City to City Centre: This scheme will provide for a safe active travel route between the northwestern environs of Kilkenny City and the City Centre.
- Bennettsbridge River Cycle Route: Street space reallocation, upgrading and resurfacing of existing public realm to allow access for outdoor walking and cycling beside the River Nore and adjoining outdoor seating area.
- Works to Facilitate Outdoor Dining in Kilkenny City Centre: This scheme is to primarily to carry out works to facilitate the provision of outdoor dining for businesses but will also include some public seating.
