LIMERICK city centre is about to have a massive €8 million facelift, courtesy of European funding and matching cash from the local authority.
The funds – which will help make the centre a more attractive place to do business,visit and live – were announced on Tuesday by Environment minister, Alan Kelly.
Among the proposals are the broadening of footpaths the whole length of the city centre to encourage pedestrianisation as well as plans to cut noise and air pollution and encourage the use of public transport and alternative forms of transport such as cycling.
Minister for Education and Skills and Labour TD for Limerick City, Jan O’Sullivan, welcomed the investment of more than €4m to enhance Limerick’s Urban Centre.
“This is a positive development that will further enhance our revitalised city centre. The direct grant of €4.1m, funded by European Regional Development Fund, will be matched by funding from the local authority – resulting in a potential €8m funding for important improvement works.”
“The capital funding will be used to enhance public spaces, widen footpaths, re-align bus corridors and provide better traffic management in the City,” she said.
“Limerick City’s core urban area is being transformed. The bike scheme, the riverside boardwalk and the initiatives by the local authority and businesses to make the city centre increasingly attractive are just some of the efforts that are paying dividends. Recent decisions by LIT and UBER to locate new ventures in the heart of Limerick is hugely important.”
“This investment will assist the efforts that all those who love Limerick are making to revitalise the City Centre and is very welcome.”
The Minister added: “I would like to acknowledge the very positive role that Conn Murray and his team in the local authority have played in designing this project and securing the funding.”
