Shannon footbridge plans hinge on vote by council

Plans for a footbridge over the River Shannon, which could cost over €17m, will be shut down if councillors vote to reject the project next month.

The Government has ring-fenced €6m for the proposed Limerick City Footbridge.

It is believed businessman JP McManus has agreed to match the amount pledged by government last year as part of the budget for 2015, which can only be used for the proposed footbridge.

Speaking at a meeting yesterday, where proposals and concept designs were presented to councillors, Pat Daly, director of economic development and planning at Limerick City and County Council, confirmed the project is “time sensitive” and said Government funding would be threatened if plans are not progressed.

A meeting of the elected members of the council will take place on July 25, with members to vote on whether the proposals should proceed to the next stage, which would involved the procurement of a design team.

“If they reject it, the project is dead and the money is lost, that’s the simple fact,” said Mr Daly.

Three conceptual models designed as part of a feasibility study for the Limerick City Footbridge were presented at yesterday’s meeting.

The most expensive option, costing €17.1m, would link Arthur’s Quay with the side of Limerick City Court house.

The proposed footbridge is described by the local authority as the creation of a “river way” suitable for pedestrians and cyclists that would provide a “new way of experiencing Limerick”.

The preferred routes were determined to be from Sarsfield House or Arthur’s Quay to Merchant’s Quay.

Council senior planner Kieran Reeves said: “The actual cost for the construction of the proposed bridge cannot be finalised as the design is yet to be finalised. The concepts prepared have a cost range of €8.1m and €17.1m,” he said.