Pending completion of the detailed design of the Nore River, Kilkenny city, drainage scheme, it was not possible to definitively indicate the extent of the proposed works in individual areas of Kilkenny city and accordingly it was not considered premature to meet with the residents of Dukes Meadows and Riverside Drive. Now that the detailed design has been finalised and tenders have been invited for the works, returnable in mid April 2001, with a view to getting on site this summer, arrangements will be made to meet with those residents groups.
The removal of trees and scrub along the river banks in Kilkenny city, which is being undertaken after consultation with officials of Kilkenny County Council and Corporation, is an integral part of the scheme works programme and was clearly identified as such in the scheme documentation publicly exhibited in Kilkenny city in June 1999, for which affected owners, the general public and public representatives had opportunities to comment. Indeed, the removal of trees, which has to be undertaken at this time and completed by mid-March due to environmental considerations, was specifically discussed with the local authorities and public representatives at a joint meeting of Kilkenny County Council and Corporation on 23 June 1999 at which officials from the Office of Public Works were in attendance.
A press briefing was planned for Monday, 5 March but was cancelled because of the current foot and mouth and disease restrictions. The Office of Public Works officials and its consulting engineers will be available when travel restrictions associated with this crises are eased to meet with local authority officials, public representatives or other concerned groups. It is intended that concerns about the scheme can be allayed and the general public made aware of progress of the scheme by means of a newsletter(s) to be circulated in the area.
