Proposed greenway from University of Limerick described as a 'vanity project'
Locals line up in opposition to plans to chop down trees for Active Travel infrastructure
A PROPOSED new greenway linking University of Limerick (UL) to the National Technology Park has been described as a “vanity project”.
Green Party councillor Sean Hartigan made the comment as he joined residents who are opposed to the plans, which are currently before An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Called the Limerick City Greenway, the proposed path will stretch for more than four kilometres.
It’s envisaged the first 3.3km will be a shared cycle path and footpath, between the college campus in Castletroy and McLaughlin Road, with the final 1km-or-so being dedicated Active Travel infrastructure, comprising separate pathways and footpaths.
But there has been opposition to the plans from a number of local residents, who are upset at plans to build on the riverside walk stretching from the UL Boat Club to behind Cook Medical.
Brid Kennedy, of Castletroy, who walks the route several times a week, said: “You have a really important biodiversity situation here. You have bats, badgers, heron and foxes, as well as flora and fauna. All of these should be protected.”
As part of the plans, 60 trees will be felled, but council has insisted these will be replaced with 305 native shrubs.
“From an ecological point of view, it is a shocking proposal, to remove 61 mature trees, carry out extensive groundwork, and put a tarred road on the riverbank. The River Shannon is already suffering from poor water quality, fish stock is decimated. A tarred road on the bank will create a toxic run-off into the river every time it rains creating ongoing substantial damage,” continued Ms Kennedy.
She added there is alternative bike provision which allows cyclists to move between UL and Plassey.
Cllr Hartigan said: “It’s an Active Travel Project, but it’s not going to do anything to promote Active Travel. If you want to commute to work, you can come in from Annacotty, Castletroy, through the university and into Limerick. There’s no necessity to put this in. It’s an undisturbed, quiet and peaceful area. And people like it because it’s this.”
A council spokesperson stated: "The proposed Limerick City Greenway will be 4.25km long and will consist of a 3.3km long and 3.0-4.0m wide shared path on existing paths or in green fields, and 0.9km of separated 1.8m wide footpaths and 1.8-2.0m wide cycle lanes alongside the eastern and western sides of University Road and McLaughlan Road."