Talks to be held on opening up bus lane in Limerick city centre

A COUNCIL official says he will discuss the possibility of allowing regular traffic along the O’Connell Street bus lane for the Christmas period in an effort to help boost city centre trade.

John Gannon, senior council engineer was responding to calls from council members and a business group to temporarily lift the restrictions on the bus lane after a trader complained of tailbacks as far as Corbally.

“The bus lane is licensed with the NTA (National Transport Authority), under licence with the NTA. We will have a discussion about that. That’s a discussion I will have with Brian Kennedy, the director, in relation to that,” Mr Gannon said.

Previously, another director of service Kieran Lehane said alterations like these on Limerick’s main thoroughfare “I would imagine are costless”.

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“It’s a difficulty which has to be negotiated with the NTA,” he acknowledged.

Owen Silke, of Catherine Street firm Silke’s Stationary, initially spoke on the matter at the November metropolitan district meeting, after he was invited as part of a delegation from the Limerick City Centre Traders Association.

“Access to the city centre is a massive thing. Cars as we all know are being actively discouraged from coming into the city centre. Really at this present time, the public transport system is not where it needs to be. Until gets up to the level required, we still need cars getting into the city centre,” he said.

He claimed at the moment, traffic can sometimes be backed up to Corbally as a result.

“At the same time, there is an empty bus lane running up O'Connell Street on the left hand side which to me makes no sense until the buses are ready to go on it,” Mr Silke added.

Metropolitan district leader Kieran O’Hanlon said: “I think opening the bus lane to traffic will be very helpful. It's a nightmare. I come in from Clare Street, I'm a native of Limerick born over 70 years ago, and I know most of the traders have Limerick at heart. If you cannot get into the city centre, people are going to go to the shopping centres outside. I think even for a specified period, over Christmas, let's open up the bus lane.”

He claimed some people are using the route anyway, and there is no law enforcement to stop this.

“All these cycle lanes and bus lanes are all very well. But when they are preventing people coming into the heart of the city, they are creating problems as well,” Cllr O’Hanlon added.

Labour councillor Joe Leddin agreed, saying: “I think opening up the bus lanes is a very practical cost-free option and I would support the Cathaoirleach in this process. It should be done without delay.”

Meanwhile, Senator Maria Byrne has said if Fine Gael returns to government, Limerick will get a city centre taskforce.

This would include Mayor John Moran, representatives of the Limerick Chamber, city centre traders and other stakeholders.

“Fine Gael is committed to ensuring Limerick becomes a city that is safer, stronger, and brimming with opportunity. To this end, public safety must be a priority. Everyone deserves to feel secure and proud in our streets and public spaces,” she said.

Mr Silke said: ”We’ve been pushing for this for the last eight months. It's fantastic news for the city.”