Council apology as Limerick residents left unaware of bike lane
Councillors upset at lack of communication on controversial plan
AN APOLOGY has been issued after residents were left unaware of controversial proposals for a bike lane in their estates.
Sean McGlynn, senior engineer, Active Travel, Limerick City and County Council, said there had been an “oversight” in how the plans were communicated to residents of Ballinacurra Gardens and Oakview Drive on the southside.
Limerick City and County Council is planning the contra-flow bike lane, allowing cyclists to travel against the direction of traffic through the estates – but residents have vowed to fight against the plans.
At this month’s metropolitan meeting, City West councillor Elisa O’Donovan said on this occasion – and in the past – members have not been briefed on plans, leaving them on the back foot when knowledge of projects become public.
She wants a uniform approach, with councillors receiving an early briefing so they can engage with the communities they represent.
"We are seeing real frustration. It is creating an unnecessary opposition to schemes which might enjoy quite broad support,” the Social Democrats member said.
The lack of information ahead of the plans for Oakview Drive and Ballinacurra Gardens, she said, is “the latest example of a scheme progressing where local communities and elected members have not been involved at all and just notified when plans are made public.”
Her party colleague, Cllr Shane Hickey-O’Mara seconded her motion which called for the uniform approach, saying: “Meaningful, timely engagement is crucial for assuaging fears and building trust in communities. Councillors are the ones on the ground trying to keep the peace and explain schemes to residents. When council staff leave us out of the conversation, the results cause huge stress for residents.”
The motion was also supported by Cllr Peter Doyle, Fine Gael and Cllr Maria Donoghue, Independent.
Mr McGlynn said: “That was an oversight on our behalf and we apologise for that.”
Cllr O’Donovan welcomed the apology, saying: “It is a sensitive area that’s had infrastructure put in. I know it was an oversight and a mistake. However, it has happened before and will push things back a lot.”
On this occasion, council officials have agreed to push back the start of consultation around the estate’s cycle plan until the start of September to allow City West councillors assess local feelings.
Despite the view of locals, it’s unlikely councillors will get a vote on the project.