BREAKING: Controversial plans for Active Travel scheme on busy Limerick road are approved

CONTROVERSIAL plans to install a segregated cycle lane between South Circular Road and the city centre have been agreed by councillors.

The Active Travel project, which attracted nearly 1,000 submissions from a variety of stakeholders and local residents, was debated at a meeting of the Metropolitan District at County Hall in Dooradoyle this Monday morning.

During a meeting, councillors considered a lengthy report from the council CEO, Dr Pat Daly, who recommended that the project be approved.

Arising from the public consultation process, a number of amendments were proposed by the local authority while others were put forward and approved by councillors who voted in favour of the project by 13 to 8.

Elected members were briefed on the council-led amendments, which were supported by the National Transport Authority, on Friday and over the weekend.

The amendments put forward by councillors include the "introduction of a shared surface between Summerville Avenue and Laurel Hill Avenue with the reintroduction of car parking", the "removal of permeability filter north of the Lifford Avenue/South Circular Road Junction and the "introduction of a permeability measure north of the South Circular Road/ Summerville Avenue Junction to allow local traffic only".

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Those opposed to the project have cited the removal of existing on-street car parking spaces and the impact that the cycle lane will have on traffic in the area - particularly during rush hour periods.

Those in favour of the scheme say it will make the area safer, will reduce air pollution and will encourage people to cycle more instead of using private cars for short journeys.

As part of the project, the existing one-one traffic system on South Circular Road will be will be extended and one-way streets will be created at Quin Street, St Gerard Street and Mill Lane.

Junctions, road markings and surfaces along the route will be upgraded as part of the works.

There has been a mixed reaction to the decision of councillors.

More to follow - see our broadsheet edition for further coverage and reaction.