Conversion of green space to parking spots in Limerick estate to be examined

A REVIEW is to be launched which could potentially allow for the conversion of green space into car parking spots at a southside estate.

At this month’s metropolitan district meeting, Cllr Catherine Slattery called on the local authority to consider removing some of the vast green field at Glasgow Park in order to allow residents more space to park.

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The priomh comhairleoir said she would not normally advocate for the axing of green space, but this particular community is an exception.

“With Glasgow Park, the gardens are too small to have driveways. Nobody up there has a driveway. So you’ve a little garden, a footpath and then you have supposedly parking spaces outside the home,” she said.

These are not sufficient, Cllr Slattery said, and some of the green spaces are in a poor state. “Some of them even have rat holes,” she said.

“If these green spaces are taken away, it would not only allow for extra parking spaces, it would tidy up the area, and make it look visibly attractive. It’s a win-win,” she added in a motion which was passed.

Fellow City West councillor Sarah Kiely, who seconded the motion, said: “A lot of the time I am not in favour of depleting our green space. But in this case, it is very much warranted”.

There was also support from northside Social Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara.

He pointed out the lack of parking means vehicles are often left on pavements, causing difficulty for residents on walking frames and in wheelchairs. “It would free up the footpaths,” he declared.

Transport planner Karen McDonnell confirmed a review of the existing car parking provision in the estate will be undertaken to assess the need for extra space.

“If the area is deemed to warrant additional car parking provision, then a budget would need to be provided for any proposed works,” the council executive stated in a written answer.