Pedestrian crossing could return to Limerick's O'Connell Street

COUNCIL bosses are considering reinstating a pedestrian crossing on O’Connell Street - just three years after it was ripped out.

When the €10m redevelopment of the city’s main thoroughfare was complete in late 2022, one of the differences was the removal of the walkway which linked Bedford Row and Thomas Street.

In its place a swerve in the road was introduced, part of which was meant to house a piece of art, which never saw the light of day.

At this month’s metropolitan district meeting, planning director Vincent Murray revealed that the council’s design consultant is preparing a cost estimate to bring back the crossing.

READ MORE: Audiology Medical Services - The importance of regular hearing tests for Cognitive Wellness

“Once we receive this detailed cost estimate, it will include details such as design, work scope, materials, labour and any other associated costs. Once the cost estimate is in hand, we can compile an estimated budget that details the anticipated expenses,” Mr Murray wrote in a reply to a motion by Fine Gael councillor Sarah Kiely.

She said members across Limerick had been contacted by members of the public to ask if the crossing can be brought back.

“It’s getting to crisis point,” she added, pointing to safety concerns from pedestrians crossing a bike lane, a bus lane and a lane for private motor vehicles.

Her motion secured support from across the council chamber.

Cllr Daniel Butler said when members were approving the application which - almost literally - paved the way for the reconstruction of the street, they warned about losing the Bedford Row-Thomas Street crossing.

“When we brought it up, we were told it wasn’t feasible, it wasn’t safe. It wouldn’t fit in with the new design. But we did raise it. Now we’ve been proven right. We are going to retrofit it, and it will probably cost us double, triple the cost it would have if we had done it in the first place,” he said.

“If ye’d listened at the beginning, we wouldn’t be here,” the City West councillor told the meeting.

Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan pointed out that asking pedestrians with visual impairments or in wheelchairs to cross a cycle lane, a bus lane and a private traffic lane is unsafe.

“What sort of message does this send out? It is very dangerous and needs to be addressed,” she said.

Her party colleague, Cllr Shane Hickey-O’Mara sought a timeframe for any reinstatement of the crossing.

He was told there was no estimate on this.

“It’s so frustrating,” the northside councillor commented.

Cllr Sharon Benson, Sinn Fein also backed the motion.

Separately, Cllr Kiely asked when a road safety audit for O’Connell Street would be made available to members. In a written answer, she was told by Mr Murray that the study is in “draft working form”.

“The council engineering team are reviewing the recommendations to address the items highlighted by the Road Safety Audit team,” he wrote, adding it’s expected a final report will be agreed in the next two months.