LIMERICK City and County Council is about to carry out preliminary works on a second river crossing in the historic King’s Island area of the city.
The local authority recently acquired Thomond Weir and the associated fish packing building from the ESB for an undisclosed sum and now plans to develop the site, 500 metres north of Thomond Bridge, as a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
Spanning the River Shannon from Brown’s Quay in Thomondgate to its east bank in St Mary’s Park, the weir was used between 1940 and 1978 by the ESB to monitor the number of salmon passing upstream, and to catch some for commercial purposes. It has been disused for almost four decades.
And despite recent controversy surrounding plans for an €18 million footbridge on the River Shannon, the council is moving forward with plans for Thomond Weir to provide a northern link across the River Shannon.
This was first proposed in the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan (LRFIP), unanimously adopted by the City Council in February, 2014.
A spokesperson for the ESB commented, “As a contribution towards the regeneration of St Mary’s Park and Limerick City in general, ESB is delighted to be able to confirm that the site at Thomond Weir and the weir itself has been transferred to Limerick City and County Council for a nominal sum.”
“Completed in the early 1940s, the site has played a key role in fisheries issues over the decades. ESB is delighted at this opportunity of giving something back to the people of Limerick.”
According to a council spokesman, a preliminary site investigation, which will include an underwater survey and core study, will be carried out on the 484ft long reinforced-concrete structure in the coming months. This will determine the viability and capacity of the project.
“Following initial feasibility studies, a more detailed examination of the existing weir will now take place in order to advance a proposal which maximises the capacity of the existing structure and is a model of sustainable re-use of existing buildings and infrastructure.
“It’s a no-brainer. This is a robust existing structure that will link parts of the city together, so there is great potential,” the Limerick Post was told.
“It will at the very least be a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists, but we will certainly look to see if it is viable to use it for cars too. Onsite investigations will commence in the coming months and that will tell us more.”
As part of the project, the council also hopes to widen the existing structure in places along Thomond Weir to allow “greater navigational access for boats”.
“In addition to the positive sustainability aspects of the project, the re-use of an existing structure also has economic benefits. Options will also be explored to improve navigation along this stretch of the River Shannon,” a council spokesman said.
Intensive public consultation took place prior to adoption of the overall development proposals contained in the LRFIP during 2013. Further public consultation will take place as part of the planning process.
by Alan Jacques
