Bus lanes to go ahead despite local resistance

LIMERICK City Council has reiterated its determination to open up more bus lanes into the city centre, despite strong resistance from resident groups.

The council insists the city centre needs bus lane access and is pressing ahead with plans to open up a lane from the new bridge at the Crescent shopping centre into the city.

Limerick County Council, meanwhile, have already opened up bus lanes on the county side of the bridge.

The proposed bus lane will cost €2.4 million.

Director of services with the city council, Pat Dromey, said bus lanes are the way forward.

“It is government policy and city council policy that we introduce bus lanes and we have identified this particular route as being essential to the economic benefit of the city, visitors and walkers along with the shopping community.

“We need a green route from Raheen into the city centre… There are huge environmental benefits associated with public transport and we encourage as many people as possible to make this shift,” he said.

Residents along Ballinacurra and O’Connell Avenue claim 94% opposition to the bus lane proposal.

Margaret Casey said the southern end of the city will be turned into a “kip” if the proposal goes ahead.

“Are people supposed to walk for 20 minutes with their groceries? If this thing goes ahead, in 10 years’ time there won’t be any families here and no businesses.”

Joe O’Carroll, who runs a bike business on O’Connell Avenue, said he will be forced to close if a bus lane is opened. “It will be a disaster, because everyone who comes to my shop arrives in a car or van. It will make things impossible. Even at present it is difficult to get parking.”

City centre traders feel that the opening up of dedicated bus lanes will help bring more shoppers in from the suburbs.