The Kilkenny local election results in May 2014 were resoundingly positive in terms of this campaign. A clear message was sent by the Kilkenny electorate whereby several staunchly pro- Central Access Scheme candidates were unsuccessful in being re-elected and those opposed to the progression of the scheme did well. Despite this, disappointingly, at the inaugural meeting of the new Kilkenny County Council, the chair, Pat Millea (FF) stated that the Central Access Scheme (CAS) was going ahead. A public protest occurred outside Kilkenny County Hall on 23rd June prior to the regular meeting of the council and protesters filed into the council chamber until a restriction of 20 people in the public gallery was invoked. A detailed motion to extensively review the necessity for CAS has been put forward by Cllr Malcolm Noonan (GP) and was due to be heard on Monday 23rd June however, time did not allow and the Council meeting ended at 5pm for a presentation to outgoing County Manager Joe Crockett, one of the primary proponents of CAS. The motion is due to be heard on Monday 21st July at the regular meeting of the council. An umbrella group “Complete Kilkenny Ring Road” who is opposed to CAS is due to present to the new council the same day to outline the broad range of opposition to CAS. In the interim, construction site preparation for the bridge section of CAS has commenced despite the ruling by the National Monument Service on the status of a terrace of houses in Vicar St being pending. Due to fisheries restrictions river-based construction work must happen between July & September. On the first day, Monday 7th July peaceful protesters were successful in stopping construction vehicles onto the site for several hours and later, deliveries of stone for the construction of temporary causeways to allow river access for river pile driving equipment were also turned away. Since then, the number of protesters at the site and campaign support in general has significantly increased and a 24 hour site picket has been maintained. Large volumes of stone continue to be been dumped into the River Nore. Some deliveries were unwashed, causing the river to change colour. Several health & safety issues have been observed on the construction site and reported accordingly. The large rig carrying the pile driver has been turned away twice by protesters and is due to return today, 17th July under Garda escort. Protesters have been warned that they will cautioned and subsequently charged if they do not desist. All interactions with contractors and Gardai to date have been cordial and the protest peaceful... bar the supportive honking of horns from passing traffic! The protest group is a diverse one from pensioners to young mothers with buggies and everyone in between, all passionate about Kilkenny and adamant that the Central Access Scheme cannot be allowed to proceed, regardless of cost to undo what is already done. Please, if you feel the same way, do what you can to support the campaign today. Call/write to politicians/media contacts now or if so inclined, support the individuals pacing the pavement on Greens bridge in Kilkenny. For recent images & updates see Facebook page: “Campaign to Complete Kilkenny Ring Road” A motivated group of individuals protesting at the site have set up a Twitter account : @savekilkenny Please use #savekilkenny on all related posts, etc. Selection of related media, etc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v-FkgzVs_I http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/kilkenny-s-central-access-scheme-may-be-in-doubt-after-local-elections-1.1814387 http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/protesters-blockade-to-save-medieval-city-30427157.html http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-news/cas-chaos-protesters-block-hgv-from-site-1-6172142 http://www.rte.ie/news/player/2014/0714/20616415-protests-in-kilkenny-city-over-controversial-road-plan/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7knfZEaxQD8&feature=youtube_gdata_player http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJnq9c3036g Sincere thanks for your support of this campaign, Keep the pressure on.