Solar panels planned for Limerick Tunnel

THE OPERATOR of the Limerick Tunnel has announced plans to install dozens of solar panels at both entrances to the facility.

Direct Route, which operates the tunnel, has signalled its intention to apply to Limerick City and County Council to install up to 220 of these panels, mounted on the floor.

The company says up to 110 of these devices will be installed at each end of the tunnel – at the northern access in Coonagh and the southern access at Castlemungret.

These panels, the company says, would generate around 51,000 watts per minute.

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Following the publication of Direct Route’s two planning notices in this weekend’s Limerick Leader newspaper, the company now has a fortnight to supply further documentation to the local planning authority.

Upon the receipt of this, a decision will be made within six weeks.

Opened in 2010, the tunnel measures 675 metres underneath the River Shannon on the outskirts of the city.

Chargeable to vehicles accessing it, it forms part of the N18 Limerick southern ring road.

The then Taoiseach of Ireland Brian Cowen was on hand at the time to officially open the facility.

Direct Route did not respond to requests for comment from Limerick Live.