Construction of new bike lane in Limerick to begin

A BUILDING contractor is to be appointed to construct a cycle lane which will help improve connectivity between Crescent Shopping Centre and the city centre.

Council has confirmed the news, and that the active travel scheme is going through the final stages of design ahead of the works.

The bike lane starts at the flyover beside the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle on St Nessan’s Road.

There will no longer be a left-turn from South Circular Road’s flyover exit back towards the city centre.

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A roundabout currently in place outside Fennessy’s Bar will be removed. The stretch of South Circular Road from Fennessy’s Bar to the Summerville junction will be single direction only.

Bollards will be used to only allow motorised vehicles whose drivers are based locally in and out of the street.

It goes back to being a two-way street from Laurel Hill junction up to Quin Street, before reverting again to one way from there to St Gerard Street. The green route ends beside Henry Street garda station.

The proposals, which were approved by councillors back in 2023, have proven controversial, as they will lead to the elimination of dozens of car parking spaces.

Prior to its approval, almost 200 people gathered at Mary Immaculate College to express their opposition to the project.

As well as the reduction in parking spaces, the elimination of feeder lanes sparked concern among locals.

They are also fearful of access for emergency vehicles and the safety of elderly people forced to leave their cars away from their homes.

Council says the link will not only facilitate connections between Mary Immaculate College and the city centre, but it will also connect the west side of the city.

This includes routes to St Paul’s and Ballykeeffe.

Local Fine Gael councillor Daniel McSweeney said concerns remain among locals.

“Having reviewed the updated proposal and spoken with many residents in recent days, it’s clear that a number of valid concerns have once again been raised. These issues must be properly addressed,” he said.

“I remain hopeful that the council will fully engage with the local community and work towards reasonable solutions to the concerns.”