dave123

Yes I know that, I’m just stating that there was an ambitous plan back then around the time Ireland joined the EU. I’m talking about the past plan not the current plan and NRA for that matter :p

The road begins as the N32 at the Malahide Road in Dublin. It becomes the M50 at Junction 3, which is also Junction 3 on the M1.

Junction 3 – M1
Junction 4 – Ballymun
Junction 5 – N2 / Finglas
Junction 6 – N3 / Castleknock Blanchardstown
West-Link toll bridge
Junction 7 – N4 / Palmerstown
Junction 9 – N7 / Clondalkin
Junction 10 – Belgard
Junction 11 – N81 / Tallaght
Junction 12 – Scholarstown
Junction 13 – Ballinteer/Rathfarnham
Junction 14 – Dundrum / Sandyford
Junction 15 – Leopardstown
Junction 16 – Carrickmines – still under construction
Junction 17 – Loughlinstown
Junction 18 – M11 motorway, Bray/Shankill
There is no Junction 8, the junction number having being reserved for a potential extension of the M7 motorway between Lucan and Clondalkin. This is now unlikely to be built.

I pasted this from the search engine,
From Wikipedia,

This is an interesting article from the Limerickpost,

Mayor calls for a united drive to restore Limerick as third city
By Marie Hobbins
LIMERICK city manager, Tom Mackey’s new application for an extension of the city boundary was approved by members of Limerick City Council on Monday and the application will now be forwarded to the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche.

The last boundary extension for Limerick city was granted in 1950 and an application for a further extension in 1974 was rejected. However, in 1991 the Commission of Local Government Reorganisation and Reform recommended that the boundary be extended and a further application was submitted.

City manager, Mr Mackey, has informed the councillors that in July 2002 the Minister’s private secretary wrote to the then mayor recommending that the data contained in the application be brought up to date and a fresh application submitted.

Last October City Council invited comment on the issue from the public and also from Limerick and Clare County Councils.

“We then considered the responses together with the views of the general public as expressed in correspondence and on the internet as well as through an MRBI survey conducted on our behalf and having considered all replies, we decided to amend the proposal,” the city manager states.

Referring to the new application being submitted to the Department, Mr Mackey said: “It is my considered opinion that an extension is essential in order that the city can discharge the role of regional development assigned to it by the National Spatial Strategy so that all citizens of Limerick can experience representative governance and that there can be a coherent vision for the future development of all of the city.

“It is also needed so that the city’s resources can be reinvested in the city to benefit all its citizens,” he said.

Stressing that a boundary extension is strongly supported by former president of the University of Limerick, Dr Ed Walsh, Cllr Michael Hourigan who made an extension a priority of his mayoralty last year, said that the current limits on the boundary are unsustainable in the long term.

“The city is being drained of resources by having to provide services for a huge population, most of whom do not pay rates to the City Council.

“A situation where you have three councils responsible for the administration of the Limerick urban area simply doesn’t make sense. I’m delighted that the new application and report is complete and can be sent to the Minister. It’s my hope that we will be able to move forward with the process as soon as possible,” he said.

Limerick’s present mayor, Cllr Diarmuid Scully points out that with a boundary extension Limerick would become 50 per cent larger than Galway but that without one it would fall to fifth place behind Waterford.

“Galway was granted an extension more than a decade ago, while Limerick’s last application wasn’t even answered by the government and as a result Galway, not Limerick is now, officially, the third city in the state,” he said.

Contending that the reason the Health Service Executive (HSE) decided to abolish the Midwest Health Region and put Limerick and Clare into a Western region, stretching from Letterkenny, County Donegal to Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, is a direct result of Galway’s increased status, Mayor Scully insists: “Unless the boundary extension is granted immediately the Mid West region will continue to lose out to the West and South as more and more facilities are located in Cork and Galway rather than in Limerick. I am calling on all public representatives in the region to put petty differences aside and unite to restore the capital of the Midwest to its rightful place as the Republic’s third city.”

@Amazotheamazing wrote:

Not to sound bitter but what the **** was the planning behind the current layout facing Arthur’s Quay Park? The old Dunnes stores is ugly,obsolete dead space, as is the row of shops facing it (beside Martin’s pub) behind Roches stores (currently used as storage for Roches). the garden centre section of Roches is similary a waste of good retail space, it’s fair to say that Arthur’s Quay itself doesn’t embrace it’s view of the park.

My main gripe is that a proper development, facing the park could really add a vibrant section to the riverfront. The park itself is much safer since the cctv was installed and the bushes removed. This is a huge amenity currently being ignored by the city, it has everything the rest of the city seems to lack, ie a sense of space, natural light. The patio in front of the tourist centre would be perfect for buskers or whatever, and the weir and marina looks great from the riverwalk in the park.

The old Dunnes should knocked and a proper, attractive building built there, it is such a missed oppurtunity. Likewise with the derilict block of shops. We shouldn’t be building new streets and ignoring this quarter of town. It could dovetail perfectly with the new look Henry Street.

Good point,
There were many discussions about this topic earlier, I wish I could answer those questions too, The Dunne’s site is really depressing, one would think its closed as there are very few footfall and trading in the building when looking at it, I myself thought it might be closed. As I do think some areas like the Arthur’s quay now put in the shadow when in par with all the new blocks been built around Henry Street and the Quays, The Dunne’s site has huge potential been facing a bridge and two other streets.

I happened to be in Limerick today, and it seems to get busier every time I visit the place, traffic is getting worse.

Bedford row is completely flattened now and nearly ready to build up quite a large site too.
I walked passed the Arthur’s Park and I just can’t understand how they got away with making the Park like a Prison?? I don’t think much will ever be done to the Park, but the least they could do is remover some of the trees and lower the railings, It will give the park more view & easy to see for a start, when considering its practically sheltered from view. In my opinion I’d see rather a flattened Arthur’s quay centre and make a central Plaza there, because there will be a new shopping complex on the Patrick’s street side etc, Then have some leisure/recreation centre or building of tourist attraction, maybe a view out building on top of the existing park, just Ideas….

I wasn’t aware of the new building on Williams street today :confused:
There is a new crane up behind Cruises street onto Denmark street across the road from Smyth’s, anyone know what building is going in there??

A major interesting building on UL in Limerick!!!
http://www.murrayolaoire.com/education/projects/ul_millstream/index.html

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@jimg wrote:

The situation with the bickering over the city boundary contributes to this process by making it impossible to implement a proper planning policy. But even if the boundary problem was fixed, I feel the general attitude towards planning and development among the general public in LImerick would be reflected in the council’s decisions – there is little appreciation of the idea that the city centre should be the focus of development and only when it cannot be developed any further should the planners start looking further out.

Good point on that Jimg,
I think this would be the final piece of the jigsaw to the current problems Limerick is faced with planning & development,
If the boundary issue were dealt with, I the commercial rates would come down and attract more retailers to the city centre, Limerick would develop immensely and in orderly fashion. As a result Limerick city would be a world-class city. The extra money pumped in will give this city the possibility spend money where is meant to and clear the unnecessary debts

I have to give credit to the City council for trying to get the boundary extension rolling and attracting investors to the city, and schemes such as Living over the shop & developments like the Old George site and Bedford row redevelopment.
hese new quarters will be very promising to the city centre and will lead to more businesses and retailers to relocate here 🙂

Some concerns over the amount of development occurring around the city.

Electrical exodus from city centre is denied by local business people
By John O’Shaughnessy and Claire Connolly Doyle
But city centre traders remain under pressure from retail parks as competition mounts.

THE arrival of multi nationals Dixons, Currys, PC World and others into Limerick’s new retail parks may have resulted in a number of long established home based electrical, TV and Hi-Fi dealers either leaving the city centre or completely closing down.

The fact is that in all, the city centre has lost at least eight electrical retailers inside the last couple of years.

The latest to transfer their business to the outskirts of the city are Finucanes of Thomas Street, who this week relocated to the Eastway Business Park on the Ballysimon Road.

But the chairperson of Limerick City Business Association argues that there have been varying reasons for many of the businesses’ closures including retirement, change of direction, or simple relocation.

And Terence Cusack, who currently holds the chair of LCBA points out that the continued existence of four city centre electrical shops, including Dixons, Clancy’s, the Sony Store and Savins bodes well for the city centre.

“Especially when you consider that there isn’t even one in the Crescent Shopping Centre,” he stresses.

Newly appointed Limerick City Co-ordination Office spokesperson, Mary Dundon, also said that while they sympathised with the electrical businesses that have closed down, she stressed that the “future viability of city centre businesses is not under threat” and that several new businesses were on the point of moving into the city centre.

City coordinator Andrew Mawhinney also said that white goods shops weren’t necessariy suited to the city centre anymore.

“The city centre is re-aligning itself to new market forces and the movement of these businesses to the outskirts will be more than compensated for in the major new hotel and retail developments due to come on stream in the next two years,” he promised.

“These developments include two hotels in the city centre, the Lynch Hotel Group development on the old George Hotel site with 160 bedrooms and a boutique hotel on Bedford Row along with substantial retail and commercial developments. And the proposed new development on Arthur’s Quay will also bring more people back into the city centre.”

The closures began a couple of years ago when Kiely’s moved from their O’Connell Street property to transfer to the Parkway Roundabout, just across the road from the Parkway Retail Park, and in direct competition with the multi nationals. But they then also opened the Sony Store in their former O’Connell Street premises.

John and Mary Donnelly, proprietors of Shannonside AV, a highly successful TV, Hi Fi and Video unit in Thomas Street, then also decided to transfer to new premises away from the city centre.

But LCBA chairperson, Terence Cusack argues that this business changed its nature, kitting out hotels, and no longer needed a city centre location.

Others, for various reasons, also ceased trading

RTV, who had been located in a prime spot on O’Connell Street, closed their doors, as did Finucanes in Upper William, Street. But Mr Cusack argues that the the rental of electrical equipment has “died as a business”.

The ESB showroom at Bishops Quay, is also set to bring down the shutters, with the company’s network of shops having been purchased by Bank of Scotland, but again , Mr Cusack argues that they now “simply need a bigger premises”.

Meanwhile, Dick Dufficy vacated his unit in Liddy Street several years ago on his retirement and his shop wasn’t replaced.

Joe Brooks who closed his Catherine Street operation a number of years ago, went into the property business with his son Aidan.

A spokesperson for Finucanes of Thomas Street said that there were many advantages to taking up residence at their new address, primarily for parking purposes so that customers and suppliers could be catered for.

However, another trader, who preferred not to be identified, was in no doubt that Dixons, Currys, PC World and more recently Maplin, had “seriously impacted on city centre trading”.

“If you can’t beat them then why not join them?, he said, pointing to Kiely’s success story at the Parkway.

“These multi nationals have tremendous clout and buying power and it can be difficult to compete with them. City centre traders who own their properties are in a stronger position than their neighbours who have to pay rental. Also, overheads at the retail parks are not as high, and neither do they have the added burden of traffic wardens parading up and down outside their doors. The bottom line though is, if you compare prices the locals are well able to compete with the major players.”

Last week, Newsoms of William Street announced its closure, citing increased competition from such outfits as Homebase, Atlantic Homecare and B

What do you think of the city centre’s performance and its prospect giving what’s against it

Other news from the Limerickpost

AS SOON as plans are drawn up a planning application will be submitted to Limerick City Council for the transfer of use of a development already underway at the junction of Mary Street and Sir Harry’s Mall.

The site will house the city’s first gaelcholaiste, approval of which was announced by Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin last week.

Although no details regarding the school’s location were revealed last week the Limerick Post has learned that the first phase of the school, which will provide for first year secondary education will be located in the Mary Street/Sir Harry’s Mall site for which Kenrite Construction had secured planning permission for the development of 17 apartments over a retail outlet.

An application for change of use was later submitted for a consultant’s clinic associated with Barrington’s Hospital and also for an ESB sub-station on the adjacent, Fish Lane.

All that the chief executive of Limerick VEC was prepared to say this week was that a proposal for a city cente location has been proposed and is currently going through formal approval procedures.

When contacted, however, a member of the Limerick VEC said that the Department of Education is having plans drawn up for the construction of first year classrooms on the site, to cater for students embarking on secondary level education in September. 2006.

“The Department may seek an alternative site later to accommodate additional classrooms for students up to Leaving Cert but meantime the city’s first all-Irish secondary school will start off life here,” Cllr John Gilligan told the Limerick Post.

“It is understood, however, that residents of housing accommodation built on Mary Street in 1990 are objecting to the removal of car parking spaces at the back of their houses as well as three spaces in front, which were available to them up to now.

“The residents have no problem with the gaelcholaiste being built but naturally enough they resent the removal of the car parking spaces they have had available to them since 1990. A 10-space underground car park is being planned but no spaces have been allocated for the residents. There is no place else in the area they can park – Mary Street is one-way and Sir Harry’s Mall has been pedestrianised. While we all sincerely welcome the gaelcholaiste, the local people have been treated deplorably and some resolution must be reached,” he said.

No comment on the issue could be secured by the Limerick Post from Kenrite Construction.

The VEC declined to confirm the Department is locating the gaelcholaiste on the site and it is understood that City Council engineer, John Ryan, who met with some of the residents on Tuesday is conveying their concerns back to City Hall management.

Deputy Peter Power said he will be in touch with the residents to take their concerns on board and negotiate on their behalf with the developer and City Hall.

@anto wrote:

Also makes sense to look at bus lanes on the older roads that have been bypassed. Limerick has been a bit slow to put in bus lanes. Don’t think there’s many cycle lanes either esp. obvious ones like out to the university.

Hardly any around the Uni ……

Yeah, Limerick is one the main cities in Ireland that really lacking any sort of a proper bus lane 😮 Shocking!
If it even has one???
The city council came up with a plan to have one running down O’Connells street to the Ballincurra road recently and were going to go-ahead with it until fumes piped up with the locals they didnt want it to take up the road etc…
So the plan was rejected. :confused:

Apart from the Williams street and O’Connells street bus routes, there are plans to have one running along Childers road, and maybe the raheen and ennis roads???
It would be “fantastastica” to have a proper bus lane to Raheen and Uni !
Not certain any other other proposals.

Also any surprises coming out of the rail loop going from the Colbert station to Parkway, and now since an overhaul of the Nenagh to Limerick commuter changes, will this further spark off the idea of a station at the Parkway ??

Castletroy alone will have 35,000 alone by 2009 or 2010 (not sure exactly), from predictions way back in 2000
Dublin road is rapidly fillling up despite the new improvements and Ringroad…

Any comments ??

A super venue? Two teams in race

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Possible location: Limerick Docklands (LL)

IT was confirmed this Thursday that at least two groups are now interested in bringing a major 8,000-seater auditorium and conference centre to Limerick.

Fast-food supremo Pat McDonagh has already been linked with the multi-million venture but it emerged this week that another group of businessmen has been in talks with city officials and the Mayor concerning the venture.

If the plans come to fruition, it would transform the city, with Limerick hosting major international concerts and conferences. It is believed that Limerick’s proximity to Shannon International Airport and the improving infrastructure around the city are the main attractions for the investors.

Cllr Jim Long, who has had meetings with the consortium said the plans were “a real possibility” and that most councillors he had spoken to were very supportive.

“Discussions have taken place and further negotiations are set to go ahead. It would be a paramount venue for the city and would be as big a story as we’ve had here in years,” Cllr Long said.

“Councillors, officials and the Co-ordination Office have to grasp the opportunity and explore all avenues to ensure it doesn’t go to another county. It would put Limerick city on the world stage,” he added.

The group do not wish to comment publicly at this early stage of negotiations but four locations have been mentioned.

These are the former Guinness site on the Carey’s Road, the Fedamore Road near Carew Park, the Docklands and Bunlicky.

Meanwhile, Supermac’s boss Pat McDonagh has refused to confirm reports that he is to apply for planning permission to open an 8,000-seater indoor arena on Shannonside.

Mr McDonagh was in Adare on Tuesday night speaking at the official launch of the Limerick Business Week and said that it was “premature” to confirm whether or not the development would go ahead in the city:

“It’s premature to say that it will be built in Limerick. Limerick is on the list and there are a lot of advantages to locate here, but it’s all about finding the right site.

“It’s not just a conference centre, but will be a multi-event centre. There will be an indoor arena which will be bringing Disney on Ice there.

“I will be bringing consultants in two to three months time to look at locations,” Mr McDonagh said.

Originally a planning application was made to Westmeath County Council for a five-storey 144 bed hotel, a conference centre, offices, shops and a service station.

However, the application was withdrawn and the Galwegian is now looking at three alternative locations, including Limerick.

“Limerick is one of the most thriving cities,” he said. “The advances in the last five to ten years have seen it outstrip towns of equal size around the country.

“The advantages are that it’s so near Shannon Airport, it has a good port and good road infrastructure for the most part.

“The advances in industry, commercial and retail in the last couple of years are huge,” Mr McDonagh said.

He complemented the city’s third level institutions, adding that UL is “one of the best in the country”.

“Two of my daughters are in UL and I spent a couple of years in Mary Immaculate so I have a bit of a grá for it,” he disclosed.

“I think that it’s going to continue to grow. It’s the main city in the Mid-West and should continue to grow.”

The route will run starting at the new tipperary RO(roundabout) adjacent to the retail paek developments,cross groody rivers by bridge and right through to the massive developments of castltroy to the Ul roundabout.
the purpose is to have direct acces to the busy national routes and also the Colleges and local areas
As alternate route to the choked Parkway and Tipperary roundabouts
As for te Childers road the county council have put monet into doing a traffic capacity study and the posible idae of bus lanes onthe route,

In my opinion the route to be dual from Roxoboro to the Dublin road, if development goes at its current rate.
I think that was the plan, but cant quote that.

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I have just read out the paper article relating to the Dublin’s traffic problems on the Irish times yesterday

Some of the plans notes as follows,
Proposals to have a free flow Red cow junction rather than having traffic lights on it (current proprosal)
Fast track upgraded M50 and upgrading surrounding roads into Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, which will be a relief to thousands of commuters, as well as investment in rail
Low cost quick schemes for investing into public transport such as metro/rail to airport and a high frequency travel for lorries and HGVs using the M1 & M50
Fast tracking Hueston station to Connolly underground rail link.

And a blue zone where no cars allowed in the city centre, I think? likewise Munich in Germany.
There is more on that article
I can’t seem to get a hold of the issue :confused:

Also what do you think of the new Dundalk bypass, is it really beneficial???
The M4 Kilcock to Kinennegad will be opening at Christmas

Also the Red cow roundabout and Naas road widening is also going well, the Naas road is over six months a head of schedule!! , Great news for commuters nationally!

query on the Metro airport Link, is it still on the line or stacked???