Limerick Council puts brakes on bike lane plan after backlash from locals
Active Travel proposals likely to be back on table early in 2027
LIMERICK City and County Council has backpedaled on a plan to bring forward controversial plans for a cycle lane this autumn.
Instead, the local authority is to wait until the new year to introduce the proposals, which have been opposed by locals, with dozens signing a petition calling on council to make a U-turn.
As part of Active Travel plans, a contra-flow bike lane is proposed, allowing cyclists to travel against the direction of traffic through Oakview Drive and Ballinacurra Gardens on the city’s southside.
To facilitate this, road markings are planned, with bollards to ensure safe passage for cyclists.
However, upon being made aware of the plans earlier in the summer, the residents held an emergency meeting.
It was standing room only at Summerville Rovers soccer club, and it emerged from the night that the project had been paused until September.
Councillors were given an update earlier this month.
A spokesperson for the council confirmed that following this briefing, it was agreed more talks with local residents will take place before the proposal goes forward in the form of a Section 38 application.
In the past, applications such as these are determined by local authority officials rather than put to a vote of councillors.
Council said they expect an application to come in the opening three months of 2027.
Prior to this briefing, the Greenfield Estate, Oakview Drive and Ballinacurra Gardens Residents Association (GROB) wrote to every member of the metropolitan district expressing their concerns.
Among those are a fear that elderly residents will be put in danger by cyclists and e-scooter users.
They've pointed out part of the cycle lane is proposed on the doorstep of a development for the over 55s.
Bollards or concrete separators outside the driveways of properties could hinder access to properties, say members of the committee, who also feel they were not fully consulted ahead of the plans coming forward.
"The residents of the area are in complete dismay as to the disrespect and lack of consideration shown to them in the entirety of this fiasco,” reads the letter to councillors.
For its part, council has said the Limerick Active Travel project comes as part of a wider programme to “improve city-wide connectivity and address a gap in the cycling network.”
Responding to news the plans are now on hold, Helen Barry, the secretary of GROB said: “Residents are relieved to hear that the plans for a cycle lane through Ballinacurra Gardens and Oakview Drive have been paused. Active Travel have promised the GROB residents’ committee that they will be in contact with us in due course and we look forward to hearing from them about this and liaising with Active Travel about any other developments they have in mind for our locality.”
Fine Gael councillor Dan McSweeney, who represents the community on the local authority, called for improved communication with locals.
“This delay must now be used for genuine and meaningful engagement with local residents by the council. Residents must be at the centre of this process and listened to before any scheme is brought forward at this location,” he told the Limerick Leader.