As detailed in Chapter 1 the Council is aware of its obligations to Local agenda 21 with respect to reducing non-renewable fuel consumption. This can be achieved by discouraging the use of private transport in favour of public transport where possible and promoting alternatives to car transport such as cycling and walking.

At present there is a heavy reliance on roads within the County and a significant level of investment is required in order to meet the Councils objectives and the Governments objectives for roads within the County. Thus over the period of this plan investment in roads development will continue to be a priority.

Transport plays a central role in the economy. The development of an efficient strategic transport system in line with national policy is essential to the future economic social and physical development of the County. Transport policy and planning, and land use policy are fundamentally linked.

The National Development Plan 2000 - 2006 has identified significant levels of investment to be made in the national road network in the County. This development strategy for national roads will include the development by 2007 of the following routes in their entirety to motorway/high quality dual carriageway standard;

- Cork to Dublin (N8)
- Waterford to Dublin (N9)

This includes for a complete new National network for the above within the County. Further major improvements on other national primary routes within the County include the N24 and N25 routes, which are an integral part of the western corridor from Sligo through Limerick to Rosslare.

The primary road objectives of the Governments strategy are:

- To improve the reliability of the road transport system by removing bottlenecks, remedying capacity deficiencies and reducing absolute journey times and journey time variance.
- To improve internal road transport infrastructure between regions and within regions, contribute to the competitiveness of the productive sector and foster balanced regional development.
- To facilitate better access to and from the main ports and airports with the main objective of offsetting the negative effects or peripherality;

- To contribute to sustainable transport policies, facilitating continued economic growth and regional development while ensuring a high level of environmental protection;
- To help to achieve the objectives of the Governments Road Safety Strategy in relation to the reduction in fatalities and serious injuries caused by road accidents.

The Council’s long term objective is to implement the Governments strategy for National Roads within County Kilkenny and to develop an integrated sustainable system of transport for the County involving road, rail, bus, cycling and walking.

An integrated road network for the County based on the Governments strategy will offer benefits to the County as a whole and to the regional and national economies as outlined above, in terms of connections between urban areas, road safety improvements, fostering rural development, reducing isolation and improving the quality of life.

The National road network through the County caters for the efficient and safe movement of long distance traffic through the country. The network also provides strategic links for the towns within the County and within the Southeast region as a whole.

In order to protect the investment in these roads and to maintain their primary function in an era of rapid growth in car ownership, it will be necessary to restrict access and junctions to the network to a minimum.

Having regard to national objectives as set out in the NDP 2000 – 2006, the need to promote the economic development of the county and the need to preserve and enhance the safety, level of service and carrying capacity of the national road network in County Kilkenny, it will be the policy of the Council:

a) To co operate with the National Roads Authority in the development of an integrated road network for the County
b) To safeguard the capacity of the National Road network within the county by the restriction of access points to the network and the significant intensification of existing access points
c) To preserve free from development proposed road realignment/improvement lines and associated corridors where such development would prejudice the implementation of National Roads Authority or County Council Plans.
d) To continue to implement the Governments strategy for road safety.
e) To facilitate the development of alternative transport initiatives particularly in rural areas in order to reduce isolation and promote social inclusion.
f) To maintain, develop and improve existing roads and to construct new roads as needs arise and resources permit.
g) To facilitate the development of the National road network in accordance with “Ireland, National Development Plan 2000 – 2006 and with the policy of the National Roads Authority as it applies to the provision of national routes from Dublin to Cork(N8) and Dublin to Waterford (N9 & N10) and their ancillary roads and services. It is the policy of the Council to assist and facilitate the achievement of this objective.

New development requiring direct access to the National Primary and National Secondary Roads outside the 30 mph speed limits within the County shall be restricted to the following categories:

1. A dwelling for a full-time farmer on a National Route
2. An existing inhabited dwelling in need of replacement
3. A second family dwelling on a farm where this is required for management of the farm
4. A further dwelling on a Council plot for a family member, provided access is taken from an agreed suitable access point
5. Industrial Development where it is locationally tied to a fixed natural resource

Permission may be granted in the above instances subject to the following stipulations:

a) That an alternative site with access onto a minor road is not available.
b) That the proposed development would not constitute a traffic hazard.
c) That the development would not:
i) create a public health nuisance, or
ii) detract from the visual amenities and character of the area
d) Access to the development shall comply with the standards and requirements set down by the National Roads Authority Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (NRA- DMRB) as published by the NRA Dublin.

In all cases the onus will be put on the developer to provide evidence that an exception is justified.

In the interests of public safety it is the Councils policy to extend and improve the provision of footpaths, lighting and pedestrian crossings within the development boundaries of existing settlements subject to the availability of finance. New footpaths will be ramped at crossing points and existing footpaths improved subject to resources.

It is the policy of the Council to vary the Development Plan to take advantage of the development potential arising from the route of the proposed central corridor of the M9/N9 dual carriage way when it has been determined

Regional roads provide important strategic linkages within the County and to the National road network and other counties. They serve rural areas and help to advance rural development and diversification, indigenous industry, local enterprise agriculture agribusiness and tourism.
In order to protect the investment in these roads and to maintain their strategic function it will be necessary to exercise control over new development requiring access to these roads by restricting new access points to a minimum in the interests of safety.

Planned investment will enhance the role and capacity of these routes.

It is the policy of the Council to exercise control over new developments requiring direct access to the regional roads of the County by restricting new access points to a minimum to preserve their strategic function and in the interests of traffic safety.

In its programme of spending over the plan period, the County Council will prioritise its spending on local roads which are deficient according to the strategic benefits and improved traffic and pedestrian safety which will result. The Council will have regard to the transportation needs of development generally, particularly that associated with agribusiness, tourism and the need to promote rural development and diversification in the prioritising of its spending.

As part of the National Roads development programme it is an objective to complete the following major road improvement projects over the plan period.

a) To complete the Piltown Fiddown by pass which is currently under construction
b) To construct a by pass for Mooncoin
c) The development of the entire N8 route within the County to Motorway or Dual carriageway standard
d) The development of the Central Corridor Route (Waterford to Dublin) to motorway /dual carriageway standard
e) The construction of the Waterford bypass and second river crossing along the N25 to dual carriageway standard
f) The completion of the upgrading of the N24 Waterford to Carrick on Suir Route including a bypass for Mooncoin
g) The upgrading of the N25 route between Waterford and New Ross with a bypass for New Ross
h) Continue with the pavement improvements on the existing N8, N9 and N10 routes.

a) The completion of the outer ring road to Kilkenny City from the N9 Carlow road to the N77 Castlecomer Road
b) The realignment of the N76 Callan to Kilkenny road
c) The realignment of the N77 from the proposed Castlecomer roundabout to the county boundary with Laois

a) Provide a relief road for Graiguenamanagh.
b) Continue the pavement improvement programme for the Regional Road Network
c) Realignment of the R693 between Kilkenny and Freshford at Threecastles.
d) To improve substandard sections of regional roads throughout the County , in particular those most heavily trafficked, and those providing access to existing or proposed industrial or commercial developments.

a) To continue with the restoration and improvement of the local road network within the County under the current 5 year programme.

The County is crossed by four railway lines with a spur from Kilkenny City to connect to the Dublin Waterford line at Lavistown. Waterford Port is served by rail which facilitates the movement of freight by rail to and from the port.

Improved passenger facilities, in particular commuter and tourist services would facilitate economic growth and assist in the sustainable development strategy for the urban areas and the County as a whole.

It is the policy of the Council to:

a) Seek the improvement of services to and from Kilkenny City in particular the provision of commuter services between major urban centres and towns within the county , the region and to and from Dublin City for the benefit of the commercial and tourism sectors.

a) It is the policy of the Council to encourage the use of public transport accessible by all, in preference to the private car, both on grounds of sustainability, and on grounds of proper planning and development.

The Council will therefore co operate with the various public and private agencies responsible for such services within the County in the provision of new services and supporting infrastructure. In particular the Council will support transport initiatives in rural areas which will help to improve communications and reduce isolation.

During the course of the last Plan the new port at Belview has been developed. The development of the port has been one of the most significant developments in the County.
The Council is seeking strategic development zone status for Belview Port. The ports of New Ross and Rosslare also service the South East region. Easy access to Belview, New Ross and Rosslare ports is important for the economic development of the County.

It is the policy of the Council:

a) To facilitate and promote portal development and associated industrial and distribution activities by means of reservation or purchase of land and by the upgrading of access routes.

b) To seek the upgrading of intra - regional and national routes giving access to Belview Port along with the improvements of those elements of the national rail network which serve the port.

c) To seek strategic development zone status for Belview Port.

The Council will seek to implement its plan for the industrial development of lands at Belview contained in Volume 2 of the Development Plan.

The Council recognises the importance of air travel in improving the attractiveness of the County for industrial, commercial and tourism development. The County has an aerodrome located three miles to the west of Kilkenny City. It is a privately owned public use airfield. Principally it has a leisure use but it does have potential for expansion.

Waterford Regional Airport is the nearest airport to the County and the Council recognises that Waterford Regional Airport is a valuable asset to the South East region.

a) It is the policy of the Council to facilitate the future development of Kilkenny aerodrome by reserving air corridors as necessary.
b) It is Council policy to support the continued development of airport facilities and services at the Waterford Regional Airport and Kilkenny Aerodrome to the benefit of industrial commercial and tourism development.

The Council strongly supports national and international incentives for limiting emissions of greenhouse gases and encouraging the development of renewable energy resources. The planning and land use policies in the development plan are intended to promote efficiency in the use of energy, transport and natural resources.
The National Development Plan 2000 – 2006 acknowledges the potential that the development of alternative and renewable energies have to contribute to sustainable development.

The Council has had regard to the National Climate Change Strategy in framing its policies and objectives in this development plan and will seek to play its part towards the achievement of the national targets set out in the National Climate Change Strategy.

It is the policy of the Council to support the development of alternative forms of energy where such developments are in accordance with the proper planning and land use evaluation of the area.

The Government through its Renewable Energy Strategy Group has concluded that a plan led approach to wind energy deployment should be adopted integrating three elements, namely, electricity market, electricity network and spatial planning. There is a key role for Local Authorities to play in relation to Irelands renewable energy targets and the abatement of energy related greenhouse gas emissions.

The Council strongly supports Government initiatives for limiting emissions of greenhouse gases and encouraging the development of renewable energy sources.

It is the intention of the Council during the course of the Plan to develop a spatial planning strategy for the county, which will identify

• Strategic areas, which will be key areas deemed eminently suitable for wind farm development
• preferred areas which are suitable
• areas open for consideration and
• no-go areas,

It is a specific objective of the Council to prepare a spatial planning strategy for the development of wind farms within the County. In the interim, development proposals will be assessed on their merits having regard to the relevant Government Guidelines.

Where proposals for wind farms come forward in areas which are designated as Areas of High Amenity, each application will be dealt with on its merits and any proposal, if permitted, will be subject to stringent conditions relating to aesthetics, siting, design, colour and landscaping.

The council will respond to applications for hydro energy in the context of the Governments policy on renewable energy and will seek to respond positively to proposals.

Appropriate proposals for the reinstatement of mills and associated power generation will be welcomed by the County Council.

In responding to applications, the Council will seek to ensure that the free passage of fish is provided for by the incorporation of a fish pass where necessary.

The Council will seek to respond positively to applications for biomass or waste to energy projects in the context of a sustainable energy policy.

Biomass fuels and waste, and the technologies used to convert their energy to electrical power, vary widely. The recently adopted Waste Management Plan for the County deals specifically with energy recovery from waste.

The quantity of residual waste being presented for disposal at the Council’s landfills is not sufficient to justify the establishment of a waste –to energy plant in County Kilkenny. The proposals in the Waste Management Plan will continue to be reviewed and updated in the light of the best practice emerging in relation to waste-to-energy systems.

It is the policy of the Council to examine the feasibility of recovering energy from the landfill gas at Dunmore Landfill.

The council will encourage the provision of solar energy and in particular will encourage the development of passive solar heating in domestic and industrial buildings.

There have been significant developments in telecommunications during the period of the last plan in the areas of teleworking, e –commerce, the Internet and mobile phones. This is giving rise to socio-economic changes, and transforming the way existing business is conducted.

The importance of high quality telecommunication services is recognised by the Council.

Kilkenny City has an up to date telecommunications infrastructure, which is capable of supporting digital communications, high speed Internet and tele-working access.

It is the policy of the Council to support and facilitate the provision of advanced communication networks and services to the extent required to contribute to national competitiveness and attract inward investment.

In assessing proposals for telecommunications antennae and support structures, the Council will:

• Have regard to the guidelines produced by the Department of the Environment in July 1996.
• Ensure the provision for development in connection with telecommunications is made in ways which will maximise the use of existing masts and sites so as to limit the impact of development.

It is an objective of the Council to ensure the sharing masts and support structures where this is feasible.

The suitability of sites for the location of telecommunication structures will be determined by:

• The need to protect residential and community amenities
• The need to protect visual amenities
• The Council will only grant temporary planning permissions (for periods of 5 years) for antennae support structures and masts to allow a review of the situation in the light of changing technology in the communications field.