Division over proposed new road in Limerick
MORE than 50 members of a Limerick city community have started collecting signatures in opposition to a proposed new road.
Council bosses are set to seek permission to build a road through Woodview to Moyross.
It will mean the estates are connected by a five minute walk. At present, despite being geographically adjacent, it’s a three kilometre walk between Woodview and Moyross.
But the link - which is notionally named University Avenue - has sparked division.
At the weekend, residents of Woodview and its surrounds gathered at a meeting organised by councillor Kieran O'Hanlon.
They collected dozens of signatures in opposition to the proposal.
“There was nobody in Woodview in favour of this road. They are very upset. It's a settled community. There are major issues with traffic as things stand,” Cllr O'Hanlon.
It's expected this road will come before councillors next year, whose role it will be to reject or accept the plans.
The Fianna Fail man is to write to council boss Dr Pat Daly to ask local authority staff to come up with a new solution.
There is backing for the project in Moyross.
“This should not become a them and us situation. It's about solving a problem that is there and acknowledged by all. But not at the expense of a settled community,” he added.
John Moran, who chairs the Hunt Museum said: “How brilliant is it we are finally getting a thoughtful scheme to break down barriers. You don't cut neighbourhoods off - you add resources to a broader neighbourhood.”
Jason Craig, who lives in Old Cratloe Road, but works in the city said: “ In terms of changing mindsets, having a road called University Avenue coming through Moyross would be enormous psychologically. At the moment, all children in Moyross look up at is high walls which say 'danger'."