A series of 17 new EV fast-charging hubs along major roads has been announced by the Minister for Transport. With an average distance of 45km between the so-called “recharging pools”, it is due to add 131 new fast and ultra-fast charging points to the road network and ease the ongoing concerns of potential EV drivers.
The Department said the infrastructure will be built by private business, grant-aided by the Department of Transport and are expected to be in place by the end of 2025. The chargers will deliver 150kW charges or higher.
While more expensive than home charging, limited access to public charging network has been highlighted as a major hurdle for motorists considering a move to Evs. The M9 will get new hubs at Junction 7 Paulstown and Junction 2-3 Kilcullen.
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A “massive attack” against France’s high-speed TGV rail network was an “outrageous criminal act”, Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete has said, hours ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
There would be “very serious consequences” for rail traffic throughout the weekend with connections towards northern, eastern and northwestern France halved, Mr Vergriete said.
Rail operator SNCF chief executive Jean-Pierre Farandou said 800,000 passengers were affected.
The state-owned railway operator said arsonists had targeted installations along the lines connecting Paris with cities such as Lille in the north, Bordeaux in west and Strasbourg in the east.
Repairs were under way but traffic would be severely disrupted until at least the end of the weekend. Trains were being sent back to their points of departure.
The company said in a statement. “Last night, the SNCF was victim of several acts of vandalism on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines. Fires were deliberately set to damage our installations,”
The coordinated strikes on the rail network will feed into a sense of apprehension ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony in the heart of Paris later today.
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Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 15-year-old Danielle Breen who is missing from Kilcreene, County Kilkenny, since Wednesday, July 24.
Danielle is described as being approximately 4 foot 9 inches in height with a slight build, straight blonde shoulder-length hair and blue eyes. Danielle usually wears glasses.
When last seen, Danielle was wearing a brown hooded top with a white crop top, grey leggings and white runners.
It’s believed Danielle may currently be in the Dublin City centre area.
Gardaí are concerned for Danielle’s welfare.
Anyone with any information on Danielle’s whereabouts is asked to contact Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 777 5000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
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Works are ‘progressing well’ on the construction of the replacement boardwalk at the Lacken, according to Kilkenny County Council. This new bespoke piece of amenity infrastructure will be made using 100% recycled plastic components. In order to minimise disruption to the public, in terms of access to the Canal Walk and the Nore Valley Walk, the project is divided into two phases. Phase One extends from Lacken (city side) to the link with the path to the Ring Road while Phase Two extends from the Ring Road link to the southern end of the boardwalk.
The timber boardwalk within Phase One is now removed and installation of the recycled plastic piles is progressing. Works on this phase are expected to be completed in mid-August. Thereafter, works will commence on Phase Two with final project completion expected in October. The completed project will see the replacement of the existing 1.2m wide timber boardwalk with a c.3.6m wide boardwalk made from recycled composite materials.
Funding for this project was secured last year under Measure 3 of Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
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Kilkenny County Council will have a traffic light arrangement in place on the L2600 Grange Road in Kilkenny City from 9.15am to 4.30pm today Friday 26th July. This is to facilitate the installation of Bus Stops
Kilkenny County Council appreciates your cooperation and appologises for any inconvience caused.
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Weather
Friday will be a day of sunny spells and scattered passing showers with the odd heavy one later in the afternoon and evening. A little fresher than recent days with highs of 18 to 21 degrees, best values further east, all in a light to moderate southwest breezes.
The Solar UV Index is Moderate to high for today Friday.
Friday night will be dry. However, rain and drizzle will move in across the region – some heavy bursts are likely with low cloud, mist and fog in parts too. Lows of 10 to 12 degrees with light to moderate southwesterly winds.
