I propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 260, 261 and 262 together.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
The Kilkenny Northern Transport Project (formerly Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension Project) is a non-national road project and therefore has never received an allocation from Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Kilkenny County Council have informed the Department that in 2012, a plan was lodged with An Bord Pleanála (ABP) to extend the ring road westward across the River Nore from the N77 Castlecomer Road (Junction 10) to the R693 Freshford Road (north of Aut Even hospital). The proposed road was located approximately 2.5km north of Kilkenny City centre, approximately 1.5km long, and included an all-purpose bridge over the River Nore.
In June 2012, Kilkenny County Council was directed by An Bord Pleanála (ABP) to conduct an environmental impact statement which was submitted in June 2013. In July 2014, An Bord Pleanála (ABP) approved the scheme which was the subject to a subsequent legal challenge. Following this legal challenge the project did not progress further.
No applications for funding were received by the Department following this until the submission of the Preliminary Appraisal Form for the Kilkenny Northern Transport Project in 2019.
Any further queries regarding funding and legal proceedings prior to this date would be a matter for Kilkenny County Council.
