Cleeves and Plassey overgrown with bushes
A NOTICE of motion that “Limerick’s waterways should be a great asset to the city – at the moment they are not – why?,” met with the required action at a meeting of the Environmental Strategic Policy Committee. The points raised were: “The banks on a lot of the waterways are overgrown; some pathways are not accessible, and there are few if any landing stages”. The city council points out that a number of agencies are involved in the maintenance and promotion of the city’s waterways.
Cllr Kathleen Leddin referred to the dense growth of willow trees along the river banks.
“All of the agencies involved must be contacted and funding sought for an overall plan to clear the banks and allow for sustainable and manageable growth – this would work towards the economic development of our city and the enjoyment of tourists and our own people”.
Commenting on the strong potential that a river trip to the Ardnacrusha Power Station, departing from the city marina, for developing boating on the river, she said that this should be exploited.
“First though, the encroaching bushes must be cleared and proper growth encouraged and maintained and likewise, the Park Canal to Plassey is in a similar situation, in spite of large amounts of money being spent on it, it has never reached its potential”.
She points out that Cleeves Bank, a riverside walk that has been popular for generations, and now completely overgrown, is of a particular concern in that coaches at nearby rowing clubs, are unable to communicate from the bank with the rowing crews on the river because of the dense growth.
“This is a matter of grave concern and it’s vital that landing areas be constructed, both from a safety and a leisure element, to facilitate more use of this amenity”.
Cllr John Gilligan was critical that a man harvesting willows on the Abbey river bank, to be used for thatching, was officially told he could not do so.
“A concern s that the bank is moving out further, which will have the effect that the wetlands will turn to fenlands. Grove Island was a natural harbour for boats but that is now being lost
A recommendation came from Cllr Gilligan that “we take a look at the Groody as an area of biodiversity and contact the University of Limerick on this – it should be an area of special conservation,” leading Ms Curley to comment the issue will be discussed with UL.
Cleeves Bank, popular with walkers, is now overgrown, claimed Cllr Kathleen Leddin.
