THE 64km cycle lanes between Limerick and Nenagh, both directions, is almost complete and already open to cyclists at a cost of €880,000. Plans are now afoot to create an alternative, more scenic route along the Mulcair River. However, concerns have been raised that the lanes won’t be sufficiently utilised to justify the cost. The decision to introduce cycle lanes along the R445 dual carriageway was made as part of the National Transport Authority’s plans to utilise old national roads with wide hard shoulders, which are less busy due to the development of motorways.
The funding was granted and project introduced separately to the Smarter Travel programme, for which Limerick city and county was awarded €9 million from the department of transport to create sustainable transport hubs and links in areas of the city and suburbs.
Senior engineer in transportation at the county council, and lead figure behind the Smarter Travel initiative, Pat O’Neill, told the Limerick Post that the finishing touches were currently being applied to the lanes.
“We have reduced the width of the hard shoulder, applied the necessary road markings and reduced the speed limit from 100km to 80km per hour.
“The road markings are expensive as they include reflector eyes and need to be able to withstand heavy goods vehicles; The final safety audit and additional markings will be completed in the coming weeks.
“We are now looking at the possibility of creating an alternative, scenic route along the Mulcair River, through Annacotty and under the bridge but we are awaiting funding to progress with this.
“This would be an extension of our efforts to connect the university and the city with cycle lanes”.
Mr. O’Neill said that he had been cycling the lane himself and that there appeared to be a good uptake of the facility so far.
However, a Limerick cycling enthusiast has deemed the project “a colossal waste of money” if nobody uses it.
“Cycle lanes were neither sought nor required here and the investment would provide virtually no benefit to the general public, nor to anyone else, apart from those directly involved in the works,” said Brian Leddin in his WordPress blog, in response to a Limerick Post article on the project published last year.
“It sounds great at first, but of course it’s a colossal waste of taxpayers money if nobody uses it”, he told the Limerick Post.
Speaking about the separate Smarter Travel programme, Mr. O’Neill stated that the plans would be implemented as part of a five year scheme that include sustainable transport hubs across the city and suburbs, which are now in the preliminary stages of design.
