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 kilometres crossing through
Counties Kildare, Laois, Carlow, Wicklow and Kilkenny. The
initial study area was presented to the Steering Group and
agreed in December 2000.
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 east
of Monasterevin, across the River Barrow and Royal 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, Mullinvat 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 Thorahill 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 Inistoge 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
located 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 Castelcomer 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 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 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 cutting it in half. 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 practiced 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.
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