Kilkenny Development Plan, Environment and Transport

Uimhir Thagarta Uathúil: 
KK-C162-45
Stádas: 
Submitted
Údar: 
Kevin Healion
Comhairliúchán: 
Kilkenny City and County Draft Development Plan 2021-2027
Líon na ndoiciméad faoi cheangal: 
0
Teorainneacha Gafa ar an léarscáil: 
Níl
Údar: 
Kevin Healion

Observations

Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change

 

  • Planting more trees in our rural towns and villages can help mitigate the effects of climate change. A big effort should be made to plant more in towns with a low tree count . As well as removing carbon from the air, trees also provide shade during warm weather, help prevent excess run off of water into our rivers, and can help prevent damage to homes during storms by acting as a wind barrier.
  • Rewilding native forests and bogs can help boost biodiversity as well as help slow the run off of water into our streams and rivers therefore helping reducing the risk of flooding in our villages and towns. They also store large amounts of carbon. Supporting the re-wilding of our landscape will bring many benefits to the county. 
  • Working with and incentivising farmers will be important for the re-wiliding of our landscape.
  • Promoting the health benefits of walking and cycling, and improving cycling and walking infrastructure in our towns can help towards reducing car emmissions. 
  • Having car free zones outside schools during drop-off and pick up times have proven to be popular in Dublin and their introduction in Kilkenny would be a big positive. Idling car emit excess emissions as well as increase air pollution at schools during drop off and pick up times. 
  • Micro-Forests, or Miyawaki Forests, are an increasingly popular way of planting trees in urban areas across Europe. The technique used to plant micro forests allows the trees to grow faster than traditional methods, and allow the trees to take more carbon from the atmosphere than through traditional methods. They are great for biodiversity also. They would be a good addition to suitable areas of Kilkenny city.

Transport in Rural Towns

  • A reduction of the speed limit to 30 km/h should be introduced in our town centres and outside all of our schools. This makes it safer for pedestrians and reduces the chances of accidents.
  • Protected cycle lanes should be constructed in our rural towns especially on roads close to schools.
  • Suitable bicycle parking infrastructure needs to be constructed in our towns.
  • Many of our towns, like Castlecomer, have car park spaces that are frequently unused. Removing even a small number of spaces would allow more space for outdoor seating or space for bicycle parking. 
  • A rural bus scheme connecting our rural towns to each other and Kilkenny City would be a big step towards reducing dependency on cars. 
  • "Walking Buses" are a great idea and encourage active travel from a young age. The majority of our rural towns are small enough that children living in them should be able to walk or cycle to school. 

Town Centre First policy

  • The "Town Centre First" policy which is a commitment in the current Programme for Government can unlock the potential of our rural towns.
  • Getting people living in the centre of our towns will be a boost to local businesses.
  • Efforts should be made to convert unused space above shops and businesses on the main streets of our rural towns. 
  • The widening of footpaths will allow restaurants and cafes to have seating outside, boosting footfall.
  • Upgrading or renovating derelict buildings helps prevent the sprawl of our towns and reduces the carbon footprint that the construction of a new building creates. 
  • Investment in active travel will reduce car dependency, reduce traffic, and will boost the health of the countys citizens due to greater air quality in our towns. 

Movement and Mobility in Kilkenny City

  • Fully supportive of the 10 minute city strategy
  • Fully supportive of the installation of protective cycling infrastructure being constructed.
  • Pedestrianisation of more of Kilkennys streets needs to be implemented. This provides more space for pedestrians and provides space for restaurants and cafes for outdoor seating. 
  • An awareness campaign about the benefits of active travel and the ten minute city would be a great step. 
  • A map showing the cycle routes in the city and the times it takes to cycle to various locations from the city centre would be a useful aid.
  • A bike sharing scheme would help boost cycling as a legitimate way of getting around Kilkenny.
  • Introducing filtered permeability on residential streets can help reduce rat running and car dependency. 
  • Improved cycling and walking infrastructure will help reduce car dependency and car ownership levels, especially for households with two or more cars.  

Faisnéis

Uimhir Thagarta Uathúil: 
KK-C162-45
Stádas: 
Submitted
Dáta a cuireadh isteach: 
25.02.2021 - 10:10
Líon na ndoiciméad faoi cheangal: 
0
Teorainneacha Gafa ar an léarscáil: 
Níl
Comhairliúchán: 
Kilkenny City and County Draft Development Plan 2021-2027

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