Senior council chief speaks out over Limerick mayor's street plan
Kieran Lehane says success of pedestrianisation has been ‘mixed’ in Limerick
SENIOR council official Kieran Lehane has questioned what he called the "groupthink" surrounding pedestrianisation in Limerick, saying the city cannot simply be compared with London, Paris or Barcelona.
The retiring metropolitan district manager also said the success of pedestrianised streets in Limerick had been "mixed truthfully".
Mr Lehane, who has retired from council after more than 50 years of service, spoke at his final meeting of the Metropolitan District.
His comments contrast with Mayor John Moran's vision for greater pedestrianisation of the city centre, including the temporary closure of a number of city streets.
The intervention was notable, as senior local authority executives rarely comment publicly on politically contentious policy proposals.
At the meeting, district leader, Cllr Joe Pond invited a discussion on the plans to ban traffic from a number of streets until the end of this month.
Among council members there was both support and opposition.
Mr Lehane said: "Results on pedestrianised streets are mixed truthfully. If you look at Cruises Street, Chapel Street, Bedford Row, the results are mixed. On the other side of the equation, Little Catherine Street is doing very nicely."
"I go up and meet traders as much as I can to hear their concerns, as it is the shops and services which attract us in. I am not all together persuaded that pedestrianisation is what attracts us," he said.
The veteran council official said he was increasingly concerned about what he described as the thinking surrounding pedestrianisation.
"I am not quite sure we can equate ourselves to London or Paris or Barcelona, megacities like these. We are Limerick, and it's different. What works for Limerick works for Limerick and what works in other places works in other places," he said.
Mr Lehane used the example of the Limerick senior hurlers' homecoming last month to illustrate what he feels works for the city.
And he encouraged councillors to continue to speak up.
"What you are saying today is absolutely valid and don't be afraid to speak up on behalf of the people you represent as opposed to a unitary view which can come across in our proposals," he added.