SOCIAL Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan says she is completely opposed to new proposals for active travel plans for the South Circular Road.
The new link will facilitate connections between Mary Immaculate College and the city centre.
It will also connect to the west side of the city via St Paul’s National School to the Ballykeefe Active Travel Scheme and further on to the Father Russell Road Active Travel Scheme.
Cllr Elisa O’Donovan is now pleading with Limerick City and County Council to speak with residents, schools, and businesses impacted by the scheme.
The City West representative said she has “repeatedly asked for the case studies which show this is even a workable proposal and been pushing for a date to be set for a public consultation”.
“For the Council to publish these plans online and confirm that they are going ahead before a single resident has been consulted and while councillors are still asking to see the case studies is deeply disappointing.”
Active travel plans were first proposed for the South Circular Road in 2023 and Cllr O’Donovan says she engaged extensively with the community during the planning consultation.
“At the time a number of amendments were made to the scheme to facilitate the feedback from local residents and businesses. I am very concerned that this project will be driven ahead without proper consultation on the significant changes to the layout and access along the South Circular Road/Henry Street and side streets that this new scheme entails” she added.
Cllr O’Donovan went on to say that she believes that active travel schemes do have the potential for real and positive benefits for local communities, but only when there is “open, transparent, and respectful communication” with the people who are impacted by the plans.
She claims this has been done to date.
“I think most people living along here know that I walk and cycle this route regularly and I am not opposed to active travel measures,” she said.
“However, this new scheme is not workable in my opinion, and I will be campaigning hard for further consultation with residents and an open and transparent planning process to rebuild trust.
“I would also urge impacted people to contact Mayor John Moran to request that the construction be paused until there is further consultation.”
