GREEN Party councillor Seán Hartigan has welcomed Limerick Council’s purchase of 40 acres of land at the Mackey Roundabout.
Limerick City and County Council’s Transportation and Mobility Directorate have recently been successful in acquiring lands at the Mackey Roundabout in Mountshannon, Lisnagry.
According to Cllr Hartigan, the pinch point for morning and evening traffic at the Mackey Roundabout was identified in the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Transport Strategy as a significant constraint issue which impacts the movement of public transport and on the provision for comprehensive, safe, and attractive walking and cycling facilities into Limerick City.
“Acquiring this land adjacent to the roundabout will allow the Council to develop and deliver a scheme to manage congestion and associated road safety issues at the M7 Junction 28 Mackey Roundabout and approach roads,” Cllr Hartigan told the Limerick Post.
The Council plan to build a park and ride facility at this site, according to Cllr Hartigan, who believes that “it will have a transformative impact on traffic volumes, parking issues in estates close to the university, and the number of people visiting Limerick city centre. If people can access the park and ride from the M7 to catch a fast bus into the city centre it will encourage Limerick people and visitors from further afield to shop in the city and visit the many tourist attractions we have available in Limerick.”
Cllr Hartigan went on to say that there is also the possibility of providing a new direct transport link from the Mackey Roundabout into the National Technology Park and University of Limerick, significantly reducing traffic and congestion in all areas around the university, facilitating the development of industry in the area, and allowing for expansion of the university.
“Annacotty-Castletroy is one of the fastest developing suburbs in the country and the work planned for this site will allow it to develop in a sustainable way,” he added.
“Personally, I would also like to see the Council build housing on the site to help provide affordable housing for families, single people and students.”
