LIMERICK City and County Council have been urged to examine the feasibility of constructing a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Shannon from O’Callaghan Strand to Bishops Quay.
Labour Party councillor Joe Leddin proposed at this month’s meeting of the council’s Travel and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that the funds initially allocated for a 100-metre pedestrian crossing from Arthur’s Quay Park to Merchants Quay near the county courthouse be used for the project.
In October 2014, the then Finance Minister Michael Noonan announced that the Government was allocating €6 million to Fáilte Ireland to help fund a controversial €15 million footbridge that would link Arthur’s Quay and Merchants Quay.
The bridge, which was due to form part of the Limerick 2030 plan, would also have required philanthropic donations, with the council promising at the time to make up any shortfall.
Cllr Leddin now wants the original funds to be used to build a footbridge on the northern bank of the River Shannon.
“The Council has purchased the Cleeves site and plans to develop it. We have an opportunity here to build a piece of infrastructure that should receive widespread support,” the City West representative told the council executive.
“We need as a city to be ambitious in our projects to deliver much wanted infrastructure, improve transport routes and encourage more people to cycle and walk. All modern cities with major rivers flowing through the heart have provided pedestrian and cycle bridges, which add considerably to the visual attractiveness of a city.
Just give it some consideration.”
Director of Services for Physical Development Directorate, Brian Kennedy said the Council will address Cllr Leddin’s proposal in the Limerick Transport Strategy when examining permeability and connectivity north and south of the river.
“The council would also like to advise that this proposal has been included for feasibility as part of a funding application for public realm works on the waterfront in collaboration with the Office of Public Works proposals for Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management schemes (CFRAMS) in Limerick City,” he explained.
