1 Introduction
1.3 Initial Study Area
The initial study
area identified by ROD-M and Arup for the proposed N9 scheme
is indicated on Figure 1. This area is based on the preferred
'Central N9 Corridor', recommended by the NRA, and covers
approximately 2,400 square kilometers crossing through Counties
Kildare, Laois, Carlow, Wicklow and Kilkenny.
The initial
study area begins as an apex in the north at the interchange
of the M7 and M9, with the M7/N7 forming the northern border
of the area. The western border passes south from just west
of Monasterevin, across the River Barrow and Grand Canal,
and west of Athy to the N80 at Loughlass. From Loughlass the
western border passes southwest, to the west of Castlecomer
and Kilkenny City. It continues south-southeast to the west
of Kells, Mullinavat and Kilmacow to the N24 near Aglish,
just north of the River Suir.
The eastern
border of the study area goes south from the M7/M9 interchange,
over the River Liffey, near Kilcullen, and to the west of
Dunlavin and east of Grange Con. It passes through the Knockarigg
Hill and Tinoranhill high ground before passing southwest
to the east of Carlow, over the River Burren and to the east
of Muinebheag and Paulstown. It continues southwest to the
east of Goresbridge and crosses the River Barrow, forming
a loop to the west of Brandon Hill and associated high ground.
It then passes southeast, roughly following the eastern bank
of the River Nore from Inistioge before crossing the Nore
east of its confluence with the River Barrow. The eastern
border then goes south, west of New Ross, and roughly follows
the western bank of the River Barrow to its confluence with
the River Suir.
The southern
border of the initial study area roughly follows the N24 from
east of Aglish to Belmount, continuing east to the railway
crossing of the N29. It then curves northward towards the
eastern bank of the River Barrow.
The counties
of Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois and Wicklow are all included
in the northern section of the study area. The main towns
and villages located close to, or within, the northern section
are Kildare, Kilcullen, Ballitore, Athy and Castledermot in
County Kildare; Grange Con in County Wicklow; Ballylynan in
County Laois; Carlow, Muinebheag (formally Bagenalstown) and
Leighlinbridge in County Carlow; and Kilkenny City, Clogh
and Castlecomer in County Kilkenny.
The main county
contained in the southern study area is Kilkenny County, with
a small portion of Carlow County in the northeastern corner.
The major towns and villages located within the southern section
in Kilkenny County are Gowran, Goresbridge, Bennetsbridge,
Kells, Stoneyford, Thomastown, Knocktopher, Inistioge, Ballyhale,
Mullinavat, Glenmore, Kilmacow and Slieveroe. No major towns
are located in the Carlow County portion of the southern study
area.
The northern
section is predominantly rural in character and broadly consists
of the fertile Barrow Valley in the north and east, and the
Castlecomer Plateau in the southwest.
The general
topography of the southern section broadly consists of undulating
hills in the north and a river/valley system in the south.
The South Kilkenny Hills are a dominant feature in the central-southern
portion of the study area, and are the source for several
of the tributaries of the Rivers Nore and Suir.
The river, floodplain
and valley systems of the Rivers Nore and Barrow are a significant
feature of the study area. The River Barrow flows in a southeasterly
direction through the northern section of the study area,
effectively bisecting it. The River Nore flows south from
Kilkenny through the southern section of the study area to
Thomastown before heading southeast to meet the River Barrow
just east of the study area.
Agriculture is
the dominant land use in the study area with all of the lands,
except for urban areas and roads, broadly classified as agricultural
land. Soils are generally highly fertile and agriculture is
practised intensively. There are several national primary
roads and national primary/secondary roads traversing the
study area. The Dublin to Waterford railway traverses the
study area diagonally from north to south connecting Athy,
Carlow, Muinebheag, Kilkenny and Waterford.
|
