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Why have the Greens forgotten about Limerick.
Read more about: Green Party, Limerick East, Transport
The latest green Idea for a LUAS in Galway and Cork is interesting. Interesting for the fact that they don’t mention Limerick at all (Even though the local candidate is in favour of one) . Limerick metropolitan region has a larger population then Galway and a more strung out design. Which would certainly lend itself more to a light rail system. Yet it is not deemed worthy of a Luas in this new proposal. Why? Is it because they have a seat in Cork, a excellent shot at one in Galway and very little chance in Limerick? Or is there something I am over looking here?
To be honest, I don’t know Limerick that well. But a larger population over a “more strung out design” might not lend it self to a tram or any other kind of light rail.
As far as I aware there has been at least (very) primarily planning for tram systems in Cork and Galway, and both have gained some vocal local support (ie media coverage etc). I haven’t heard of any such primarily planning such as possible lines (even if further studies are needed etc) for Limerick - do you know of any?
Ya I have heard of a plan. There is lines drawn up I think. I remember there was artist impression of trams on O’Connel street anyway. Maybe Squid would know better of the details. By strung out I mean that not everything is centralised. i.e. the 3 main shopping areas (City, parkway, cresent) are not in walking distance of each other while in Galway they pretty much are. http://www.limerickblogger.org/blog/?p=1324. But surely plans are easier to come up with then actually building the thing.
I’m aware of calls by Diarmuid Scully from few years back for train stop at the Parkway; the Ennis goes at the back of the shopping centre. It would link up with improved services to the tech park via the Parkway.
And the city council has worked to ensure a 9m corridor along the Canal renovations to allow an eco-bus at some point in the future. Running a tram along it to UL and the tech park from Raheen and the Crescent through the city centre would make loads of sense.
This is a establishment mindset in the country that has been forming for many years now.Recognition has been increasingly given to two centres Galway and Cork outside of Dublin while the other two cities Limerick and Waterford are increasingly ignored for investment.This also smacks of populist politics IMO.It shows that as far as the regions are concerned nothing will change if the Greens are in govt.
simon - thanks, didn’t know that!
And on your meaning of “more strung out design”, yes I was mistaking what you meant, and also it’s worth noting that while Galway’s shopping areas are close to each other there’s large residential areas on the opposite side of the city then the business/industrial/retail areas, so it has strung out design in a different way.
“From the above question a conclusion has been drawn that Limerick
does not count, that Limerick is not relevant in the national scheme of
things.This is not so.
The GP is very much in favour of infrastructural development of the various
rail networks. In Cork and Galway this will demand a light rail solution.
Limerick on the other hand is blessed with four existing hard rail routes
which however are not being utilised to their potential. The Green Party
wants to see these being optimised by the opening of new stations along
these routes (and the re-opening of old ones). It is not that Limerick is
being ignored -far from it; our policies will result in a vibrant local rail
network for Limerick.
It is our intention of holding a launch in Limerick which will give details
of a regional transport policy and specifics will then be given in relation
to Limerick.I am hoping that this will coincide with my official launch as
the candidate for the Green Party,Limerick East.
In terms of the city, we believe that the time has come to commit to
developing a proper public transport system and focus on how to do it as
opposed to offering reasons why it is not possible.
For those who believe that it is time to prioritise meaningful investment in
infrastructure and that public transport in integral to that , please do
track the political parties in the run up to the general election.It is the
Green Party who has been calling for such investment and for the need to
plan now for the future instead of waiting till we are at crisis
point.Limerick does not suffer from traffic jams to the extent that Dublin
and its commuter belt does. But will that be the case in ten years time for
those of us who live in Raheen,Corbally and Castletroy and further afield?
Equally, we need to look at how Limerick will need to address the
implications of identifying and generating employment and enterprise for the
city,county and the region as we face a changing environment.
As the Green candidate for Limerick East I am committed to Limerick and to making it fit for the
challenges we must soon deal with. Limerick city and county needs Green
T.D.s!!!
Reply Address: fordebren@esatclear.ie
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Trish Forde-Brennan , Do you work from home or something? Do you not drive thru town or the Dublin road/Ennis. Limerick does have as bad a problem as Dublin. It takes me over an hour each day to get home to Rhebogue, Limerick City from Shannon. This journey a few years ago took me 25 minutes. A light rail system with a Shannon spur stopping at the parkway or canal bank which the track runs by on it’s way into town would remove thousands of commuters each day.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/367976239_41c9f6cde3_o.png
not bad. throw a few intermediate stops at the parkway etc and flying.