Plans for massive shake-up of Limerick's Milk Market area approved

COUNCILLORS have approved plans for a massive transformation of the Market Quarter area of the city centre.

The streets in and around the Milk Market are being earmarked to become shared between both vehicles and pedestrians.

As a result, the space for motorised vehicles will be cut to just over three metres on each street, with the remainder dedicated to walkers.

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Street furniture is also planned, including seated areas, trees, planting and bike stands.

The planned reforms could see outdoor casual trading spaces and outdoor dining.

Overhead wires will be relocated underground in a bid to declutter the streetscape, council has said.

New signage and paving will be put in place to reflect the area’s history and built heritage.

The streets which will become shared surfaces are Robert Street, Cornmarket Row, Carr Street, High Street, alongside parts of Denmark Street, Ellen Street, Mungret Court and Mungret Street.

Cruises Street alongside two streets feeding into Todd’s Bow and Chapel Street are already pedestrianised, but will undergo improvement.

Market Alley Lane, which connects Denmark Street to Little Ellen Street will be improved, as will Michael Street.

High Street and Back Lane which feeds into it, will see shared surfaces under the proposals, which were green-lit at this month’s metropolitan district meeting.

Council says the aim of the changes is to ensure the Milk Market and its quarter remain a key location for both locals and tourists as well as including safety, accessibility and footfall in Limerick’s urban area.

A bid by some councillors to delay a decision was dismissed.