More than 150 firms urge pause to street closures in Limerick
Mayor of Limerick says success of All-Ireland big screen shows there is demand for measures
MORE than 150 local businesses have urged Mayor John Moran to pause plans to close a raft of city centre streets to vehicles.
Under the mayor’s plans for summer in the city, Honan’s Quay, The Crescent, Lower Glentworth Street and Back Lane are projected to be closed to vehicles for every day next month.
The first citizen has consistently argued Limerick needs to become more people focused, prioiritising pedestrians over through traffic. But there is major unease among local businesses, and Limerick City Traders Association has presented 150 written letters from local businesses to metropolitan district leader, Cllr Joe Pond.
They have argued that any street closures “will cause serious harm to retailers, service providers, workers, customers, residents and the wider city centre economy.”
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The group has listed concerns: loss of access for customers, the impact on trade and footfall, deliveries, loading and servicing, accessibility and inclusion, alongside displacement of traffic and parking pressure.
Mayor Moran dismissed the concerns, saying he had not heard any complaints on All-Ireland senior hurling final weekend when Pery Square was closed off to allow for a big screen, then the homecoming.
"We had no calls from anybody and we shut an awful lot more streets. Sixteen thousand people found a way to get to Limerick and to get into Pery Square. People are asking for more and more of this,” he said.
The traders’ group believe if streets are closed long-term, as is projected to be the case in August, many customers will simply choose out of town retail parks, shopping centres or online alternatives.
"Reducing vehicular access without a proven, workable alternative risks reducing footfall rather than increasing it. Retailers cannot absorb further disruption at a time when margins are already under pressue from wages, insurance, energy costs, rents, rates and reduced consumer spending,” their submission reads.
They highlighted that retail businesses require reliable access for deliveries, collections, maintenance vehicles, tradespeople, and service providers.
"Any closure or restriction that interferes with these essential daily operations will increase costs, create delays and place an unfair operational burden on businesses that are already stretched,” adds the letter. "Street closures can create real barriers for people with disabilities, older customers, carers and people attending medical, professional, retail and financial services. Accessibility must be assessed in practical terms not only in policy terms.”
The City Traders Association also pointed out that closing streets can lead to traffic jams on adjoining thoroughfares. "Changes of this scale must be based on evidence, proper consultation and a realistic understanding of how city centre businesses operate. The people who open their doors every day, employ staff, pay commercial rates and serve customers must be meaningfully involved before decisions are made,” the group added. They’ve called for council to pause the proposed street closures, reconsider them, and not implement them unless and until there has been full consultation with all retailers.
They also want to see a published business impact assessment and a plan which they feel protects city centre trade.
Mayor Moran said: “Certain groups are proclaiming they are representative of all the traders, but they are not prepared to tell us who their members are. To say you are representatives of the city does not make you that unless it genuinely is true.” Names of businesses were furnished with Cllr Pond. The Leader understands there are concerns among some businesses over names being made public, amid fears it could impact their trade.