Limerick residents submit appeal over strongly opposed traffic measures

LIMERICK residents handed out over 200 signed requests to councillors opposing a traffic measure set to be trialed in their area.

Last week, Limerick Live reported that a newly proposed Active Travel permeability trial for Bellefield Gardens in the north of the city received upwards of 100 observations, with the majority citing severe "traffic congestion" issues.

This Monday morning, residents in the area handed out signed petitions to city-based councillors in response to what they described as an "overwhelming objection" to the proposed traffic measures.

"After overwhelming objection to the Bellefield Gardens Permeability Trial, we are handing our Metro North Councillors a proposed way forward by consensus from local residents," their statement began.

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They explained that these 200+ signed letters are a "sampling of the feedback coming from locals of the residential neighbourhood bounded by Bellefield Gardens and the Ennis, Shelbourne and High Roads."

Many people from almost 500 homesteads within this area are identifying as one residential neighborhood, they remarked.

The group said: "We are requesting that an inclusive permeability scheme be designed for all of us, and that this follows the procedure from the NTA "Best Practice Guide for Permeability."

The request stresses that three broad views have emerged from the proposed traffic measure.

These are firstly that the TUS to City route running through their neighbourhood and serving the larger city "must
allow for cycling amenity of a high urban standard."

Secondly, the right of all local residents to live on a safe, cycle-able and walkable residential road is
unquestionable and thirdly, that existing motorised accessibility for local residents cannot be removed.

"I have observed that the proposed trial under the scope of the TUS to City Active Travel scheme is
limited, and that it's purpose is not trusted by the majority of residents," the letter reads.

This has become divisive and polarising for my neighbourhood, it adds.

I have also observed a neighbourly consensus that we would like the elimination of motorised cutthrough traffic on all roads in our neighbourhood, the letter handed to councillors concludes.