PLANS for the controversial segregated cycle lane between the city centre and the South Circular Road have been approved with a number of amendments by Limerick City councillors.
The project had been the centre of significant debate over the last number of weeks, attracting close to 1,000 submissions from residents and concerned stakeholders.
It was also the subject of an ongoing row between Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea and Limerick Cycle Campaign chairman Conor Buckley.
The project was approved by 13 votes to 8 after councillors heard a strong recommendation from council chief executive Dr Pat Daly at yesterday’s Metropolitan District Council meeting.
The amendments approved included:
- The removal of a permeability filter north of the Lifford Avenue/South Circular Road junction;
- The introduction of a permeability measure at the South Circular Road/Ballinacurra Road junction;
- The introduction of a permeability measure north of the South Circular Road/Ashbourne Avenue/New Street Junction to allow local traffic only;
- The introduction to a permeability measure north of the South Circular/Summerville Avenue junction to allow local traffic only;
- The introduction of a shared surface between Summerville Avenue and Lauren Hill Avenue with the reintroduction of car parking
The plan has sparked heated debate across the city in recent weeks, with many residents expressing concern over the loss of parking spaces – especially on the narrow stretches between Laurel Hill and Summerville avenues – while others criticised a perceived cautiousness in embracing green travel.
Green Party leader and Environment Minister Eamon last week increased pressure on councillors to approve the proposal under threat of cuts in future Active Travel funding, saying that “if Limerick is not going in that direction, we’ll put [the money] into Cork”.
