Mixed views to road closure in Limerick

THERE has been a mixed reaction from the local business community to the closure of the Crescent area of the city centre.

One trader, Shane Gleeson says the measure has been “disastrous” and cost him trade during a quiet time of the year.

But another, Randel Hodkinson has said “it will be a great asset to the city.”

From now until the end of August, all motorised traffic, except for emergency vehicles, will not be able to enter the area.

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It comes as part of a play by Mayor John Moran to “animate” the city for the month.

A host of events are being organised for the month, including a festival next weekend.

However, Mr Gleeson, who runs Gleeson’s Spar says making drivers take a tour away from O’Connell Street is stopping people coming into the city.

He says sales at his shop in Catherine Street are down 13.5% year-on-year, and he blames the closure of the Crescent.

Conversely, he pointed to an increase in trade at his shop next to The Hurlers in Castletroy.

“The majority of people who shop in Limerick come from the suburbs, and it’s just a further impediment to them shopping in the city and socialising in the city,” he said.

Mr Gleeson said he would support the measure if there were daily events on the Crescent.

“If events are only planned at the weekend, the roads should only be closed at the weekend,” he added.

Another trader, who wished to remain anonymous, criticised the communication around the street closure.

For its part, the council advertised a road closure publicly, and gave people a chance to have their say.

“We’ve not had any extra business out of this. Not one person,” they said.

“The problem we have now is parking. It’s been disrupted. There are signs up in two or three different places which are taking up spaces. It’s not doing us any favours,” he said.

Mayor John Moran said there are “very few” people who have complained about the closure in comparison to those who are “hugely enthusiastic” about it.

“This is what I was elected to do. Bring change and revitalise the city centre. I put out an election programme which included approaching Newtown Pery very differently so it becomes a residential area, particularly the portion of 101 up to Souths,” he said.

“In any European city I know which works well, people who go to Mass would go out and mingle outside. They’d not be dodging buses and cars,” he added.

Mr Hodkinson, who runs an ecclesiastical decoration business in Henry Street said: “I think it's a great idea. It will really enhance the city. I know it’s experimental and might need a few more things like a coffee dock, for example. But it looks fantastic.”