WORK on a major refurbishment of Howley’s Quay, from Sarsfield Bridge to Shannon Bridge will be completed by December 2012, with tenders to be sought shortly.
Shannon Development executives and city councillors were given a presentation on the major quay upgrade by the specialist consultant, Nicholas de Jung this week.
The riverside project, for which funding in excess of €5milion has been secured, continues the city council’s major riverside development and will include works on Bishop’s Quay, Howley’s Quay, Harvey’s Quay and Poor Man’s Kilkee.
Refurbishment will commence at Shannon Bridge and the Mariners’ Memorial and will include the removal of the railings from the Shannon Bridge.
Traffic in the central area of Howley’s Quay will not be interfered with but will,” Mr de Jung said, “be thinned out at certain times of the day.
“Additional trees will be planted along the quays as well as seating and public lighting, there will be spacious boardwalks offering “spectacular views of the river” to encourage more activities, festivals and events along the waterfront and there will be additional boardwalks extending out on to the river.
“A focal position will be Poor Man’s Kilkee, which will provide a new space around a monument, there will be quality railings and seats – the next step will be to link in with Arthur’s Quay and King John’s Castle”.
Cllr Joe Leddin said:
“This will draw more people to that part of the city – however, I’m thinking now of my beloved Shannon Boat Club – maybe Shannon Development could get a few more bob for a bit of refurbishment there – we could, perhaps talk to Limerick Civic Trust to improve its appearance.
“Pascal Finn, feeding the swans with his grandchildren on TV, as the angelus bell rings out over the river, is one of the greatest ads for Limerick and the Shannon River ever”.
Stressing the need for “initial policing of the riverside area,” Cllr Diarmuid Scully said that failure to do so when the boardwalk on Bachelor’s Quay was built, resulted in trouble.
“The new boardwalks along the quays must also be properly it,” he warned.
Cllr O’Hanlon also called for the provision of funding to ‘do up’ Shannon Boat Club”.
