Cycle lane saved on Limerick’s Shannon Bridge, but other COVID-19 Mobility measures removed

There was good and bad news from Limerick yesterday evening — the good news is that Limerick City and County Council has confirmed that the segregated two-way cycle lane on Shannon Bridge is here to stay, but the bad news is other COVID-19 mobility measures are to be removed

The latter bit of the news has led to one local observer point to just one of the latest examples of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council making social distancing space and provide for cycling and comment: “You have to feel sorry for the places still affected by the Covid pandemic having to take space from motor traffic to enable active travel. No such concerns in Limerick thankfully.”

The good news for Shannon Bridge however allows for a segregated cycle route planned on the Condell Road, €1.1 million has been earmarked in the Jobs Stimulus for this route to be built this year.

Not so good news for the residents of city west, and the students of the the schools on south circular road and @MICLimerick, the priority of the car and removal of low traffic restrictions on the South circular road is a regressive step for active commuting into our city.

— Limerick Cycling (@LimerickCycling) August 24, 2020

The news about the bridge was widely welcomed:

The kids & adults of Limerick Cycle Bus would like to thank everyone who advocated for the installation & retention of Shannon Bridge cycle lane. The most dangerous & off-putting section of our route is now safe, ensuring our kids safety. This is a starting point for much more! https://t.co/o2xNZhxpIJ pic.twitter.com/sDUCEZOJEJ

— Limerick School Cycle Bus (@CyclingBusLmk) August 24, 2020

On cycling and alternative access to the city, traffic reduction measures on the the South Circular Road are being removed:

It's very disappointing @MiaBeetle The SCR is identified here in red as the 'primary cycle route' for active commuting for that side of the city in the 2015 Metro Cycle Network Study. Its disappointing to row back on this 2020 when it is needed most pic.twitter.com/JIxHNLVKsO

— Limerick Cycling (@LimerickCycling) August 24, 2020

The name of South Circular Road might suggest it as being a main route, but it’s really a narrow street compared to the alternative parallel road, which is 3-4 lanes wide.

As said below, Limerick’s South Circular Rd (marked in first image in yellow) is one of the most natural fits I’ve seen in any Irish city for a low-traffic route which would be key for providing safe cycling to the south suburbs; O’Connell Ave etc (in red) better place for through traffic:

With a bit of political will there could be a quick-build continuous cycle route from Henry Street to Crescent Shopping Centre — it could be a mix of having South Circular Road for access-only for cars with two-way cycling and cycle paths on both ends. This would not just serve people going point to point but also schools and other locations along the route.

I agree. I submitted the proposal below to all metro councillors, got some very positive reaction from other residents & contacted the roads dept directly (with the help of @elisaodonovan)
Would have loved to see this trialled even for a short time. https://t.co/5idpuANofI

— Eoin Buckley (@EoinBuckleyLmk) August 24, 2020