€100,000 super-structure planned for Limerick described as 'another bike shed'

A €100,000 steel structure which was designed for The Square in Newcastle West has been described as “another bike shed” with an “astronomical cost”.

Members of the Newcastle West municipal district were given a preview of the proposed structure, which was to be built with funding from Mayor John Moran.

The structure, which was shown to councillors, would have had a canopy under it for people to shelter.

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But Fianna Fail councillor Michael Collins, the leader of the municipal district, said: “We felt the public in West Limerick would not tolerate it”.

“We discussed it, and we felt it wouldn’t be welcome in Newcastle West. The cost was astronomical, and it would in effect be another bike shed,” he told the meeting.

Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin acknowledged that living in Abbeyfeale, it would not have as much impact on him.

“I went around to Newcastle West councillors, because it wouldn’t affect me back at home. If ye did want it, I was going to support it. But I certainly didn’t feel it was value for money. Of all the groups inside the council, we very rarely say no to money. It’s the first project we have said no to in an amount of years I have been here,” Cllr Galvin said.

Cllr Collins’ comment about a bike shed was a reference to the cycle shelter constructed outside Leinster House. Subsequent queries revealed it cost €336,000 to build.

Mayor Moran said: “I don’t necessarily share your views about bike sheds. I think it’s a little bit dismissive of the efforts of the staff who have worked on this very hard to find a good solution.”

He said the funding could now be lost to Newcastle West.

“The team came up with the best proposal. I was willing to fund it and they confirmed it would be capable of being delivered to meet the deadline that was required. The outcome is ostensibly, unless the department agree to move the funds somewhere else, they will be lost,” added Mayor Moran.

Cllr Collins said the executive mayor should have involved members of the Newcastle West district in the development of any public structure.

Separately, there is a race against time to ensure the town is properly lit up in time for Christmas. Councillors are coming up with a plan on which streets should be lit up.