New bike lane planned for Limerick road

COUNCILLORS have approved plans for a series of changes on the main road through Raheen and Dooradoyle.

At this month’s metropolitan district meeting, members approved the proposals for a cycle lane on the St Nessan’s Road from near St Paul’s Roundabout and Ballykeeffe Roundabout.

There will also be changes to the road, including the removing or chopping of some trees and their replacement elsewhere.

As part of the work, zebra crossings will also be upgraded and bus priority signals will be installed.

However, councillors vetoed a part of the plan which would have seen the bike lane go through the Ballykeeffe Estate.

Fine Gael member Daniel Butler said: “common sense has prevailed,” and said running a bike lane through would “change the culture of the estate” and “was causing the residents huge concern.”

A large delegation of these residents were present for the meeting at City Hall, the first time members had been back there since Covid-19.

Instead of a shared space which would have provided a bike lane through the Ballykeeffe Estate, councillors voted for a two-way cycle track on the northside of St Nessan’s Road.

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In any case, Cllr Butler said, it is unlikely cyclists would use the Ballykeeffe Estate as a through route, preferring to remain on St Nessan’s Road.

Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan said the scheme will now bring about a continuous cycle from Raheen to Ballinacurra.

She says this is a really well-used route by people commuting to the city centre on two wheels.

“We don’t really seem to connect a lot of schemes. So it’s very welcome to see this,” she added.