Park-and-ride plan confirmed for major traffic bottleneck in Limerick

LIMERICK City and County Council has earmarked  a bank of land near one of the city’s major traffic bottlenecks as the location for a new park-and-ride facility.

Almost 40 acres of land adjacent to the Mackey Roundabout on the outskirts of the city - close to the   M7 motorway -   has been purchased  by the local authority.

The council says it  has plans to create a park-and-ride facility in conjunction with the National Transport Authority at the lands which are located Mountshannon, Lisnagry.

On top of this, further improvement works are planned which it’s hoped will ease the traffic congestion drivers experience each day in that area.

The area is seen as a strategic site, identified in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, which is a blueprint of how public transport will appear in future across the region.

Local councillor Sean Hartigan said the area was identified as a “pinch point” in the strategy when it came to traffic congestion at the morning and evening peaks.

The land - which was sold at auction by city auctioneers GVM - consists of 39 acres in total, with a dormer bungalow located on the periphery of the holding.

Nearly 40 acres on outskirts of Limerick city goes under the hammer

It’s understood the local authority paid approximately €1.7m for it, a move welcomed by Cllr  Hartigan, who lives nearby.

He said: “Acquiring this land adjacent to the roundabout will allow the council to develop and deliver a scheme to manage congestion and associated road safety issues at the M7 junction 28, Mackey Roundabout and approach roads.”

Councillor Hartigan believes plans for a park-and-ride - which would allow motorists to leave their cars out of town and use a bus to get into the urban area - has the potential to have a large effect.

“It will have a transformative impact on traffic volumes, parking issues in estates close to the university and the number of people visiting Limerick city centre,” he predicted.

The City East councillor believes if fast buses serve a park-and-ride adjacent to the Limerick to Dublin motorway, it will persuade visitors from further afield to shop in the city centre and visit local tourist attractions.

“There is also the possibility of providing a new direct transport link from the Mackey Roundabout into the National Technology Park and University of Limerick (UL), significantly reducing traffic and congestion in all areas around the university,” said councillor Hartigan.

He believes this will allow the expansion of UL.

“Annacotty/Castletroy is one of the fastest developing suburbs in the country and the work planned for this site will allow it to develop in a sustainable way,” he added, while also expressing hope that council housing is built on site.

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The sale was completed early last month, with bidding for the land opening at €1m and going up in 12 increments of €50,000 to €1.6m. 

Following negotiations, a deal of approximately €1.7m was reached.

Councillors were informed of the purchase earlier this week.