County on the ‘hind teat’ compared to Limerick city

THR CAPPAMORE-KILMALLOCK Municipal District has received €100,000 for one project out of a pot of €18m in Active Travel investment grants, revealed Cllr Mike Donegan.

The cathaoirleach called a special meeting regarding the Active Travel / National Transport Authority (NTA) allocations for Limerick.

Mr Donegan said of the 38 projects listed for Limerick City and County Council the Cappamore-Kilmallock electoral area is only getting one dedicated project - Caherconlish NS.

“That is €100,000 for our area out of €18m. I supported the amalgamation of the city and county as long there wouldn’t be an imbalance or if it was detrimental to the county. Now we see this. We’re being forgotten about,” said Cllr Donegan.

He said his motto in politics is that “nobody is left behind”.

“I was out in Ballyorgan recently and locals showed me the state of the footpaths. There has been significant deterioration and there is no Active Travel grant for them. We have to tell the people of Garrienderk there is no funding for their footpath and they have been on the list for years.

“However, there is plenty of money for footpaths and cycle lanes in the city. Rural areas are being neglected,” said an exasperated Cllr Donegan.

The biggest single allocation out of the €18m is €2m for the Father Russell Road Cycle Scheme, followed by €1.7m each for the Mill Road, Corbally Active Travel Scheme and Limerick City and County Council Active Travel Office - staff costs.

The meeting heard that there is a €3m fund for Active Travel improvements in towns and villages but that will be divided between four municipal areas.

Sean McGynn, senior engineer Active Travel at Limerick City and County Council, said they applied for €4.9m but received €3m.

“There is a reduction in monies,” said Mr McGlynn.

Council colleague Brian Kennedy, director of transport and mobility, said NTA funding for Limerick of €18m is down €3m on last year.

“We have a very good reputation with the NTA for delivering schemes. Myself and Sean will chase them to get more money,” said Mr Kennedy, who added that more money can become available later in the year and the important thing is to have schemes in Limerick “shovel ready”.

Cllr Eddie Ryan said the county is on the hind teat compared to the city and spoke about the €2m allocation for the Father Russell Road Cycle Scheme. He said he has never seen a bike on the new Hyde Road Active Travel Scheme.

“That’s genuine and over a long period of time. I don’t know what use is being made of them. I think it is negligible,” said Cllr Ryan.

Mr Kennedy said it is important to have a network of segregated cycle lanes so people can cycle to work, school, the city centre etc.

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“By the end of 2025 when there is a proper network you will see a big difference,” said Mr Kennedy.

Mayor Gerald Mitchell said Active Travel has brought improvements to the city and county.

“It is a pity the funding has been reduced and a lot of it is going to the city. A lot of work has been done on footpaths and we must have safe footpaths due to claims,” said Cllr Mitchell.

Cllr Donegan acknowledged the great work that has been done on bus shelters in the municipal area.

Cllr Teefy said all they are looking for is a fair share.

“Good luck to the city but we need a bigger share in the county. Footpaths make such a big difference to communities. One thing about Covid is that it got more people out exercising and that is continuing. You have to remember we started off very low base with footpath repairs. A lot of them were the original footpaths built 50 years ago,” said Cllr Teefy, who asked Mr Kennedy and Mr McGlynn to “put the pressure on” for more funds.