LABOUR Party councillor Joe Leddin has called for Limerick City and County Council to follow the example of Cork City Council in building a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Shannon.
The Cork local authority has issued tenders to prospective contractors for a pedestrian bridge at a cost of €3 million that will link the older area of the city with the newly pedestrianised city centre.
“With the future planned redevelopment of the Council-owned Cleeves site located beside the River Shannon, this area would prove an ideal location to construct a bridge that would not impede with port activities and also link pedestrians and cyclists directly into the heart of the city centre,” Cllr Leddin suggests.
“The planned riverside office development at the former ESB premises together with the proposed remodeling of O’Connell Street would fit neatly with a new pedestrian riverside access.
“While I can understand the thought process around creating an iconic feature adjacent to King Johns Castle, the redevelopment of the Opera Site and the demolition of the existing Sarsfield House building will lend itself to creating additional footfall in that general area,” he explained.
Cllr Leddin went on to say that the substantial difference in the costs associated with the new Cork bridge at €3 million and the proposed Limerick bridge at €16 million was also highly questionable.
“Ultimately what people want is a functional bridge or indeed bridges for the costs proposed that can be easily maintained. If we want to facilitate alternative smarter travel options for people and visitors then improved and new infrastructure for cyclists must also be factored into our future city development plans,” he concluded.
by Alan Jacques
