Home » IRELAND TRAVEL NEWS » Residents in Limerick, Ireland, Call for Compromise on Active Travel Plans Impacting Local Parking and Accessibility

Published on
September 13, 2025

Residents in Limerick City are actively expressing their criticisms of the newly published Active Travel plans which propose to alter the South Circular Road by adding cycling lanes and possibly removing dozens of car parking spots. These plans are intended to Improve public transport systems, however, there is critical backlash, as residents highlight the issue of parking, safety, and mobility, particularly for the elderly, and local businesses.

Active Travel Initiatives and Their Potential Impact on Local Roads

The Limerick City Council is in the final stages of planning a major overhaul of the South Circular Road to accommodate new infrastructure designed to promote more active forms of transportation. The initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage cycling and walking, reduce reliance on cars, and make the city more sustainable in terms of its transport network.

As part of this plan, bike lanes are to be installed along the South Circular Road, creating a safer environment for cyclists. However, this comes at a cost—almost 40 car parking spaces are expected to be removed from the stretch of road between Quin Street and St Alphonsus Street. For many residents, particularly those with mobility issues, this change raises several practical concerns, especially as alternative parking spaces are located further from their homes.

Local Concerns: The Loss of Parking Spaces

One of the most pressing issues highlighted by the local community is the loss of crucial parking spaces. Residents fear that the elimination of nearly 40 parking spots will create significant challenges for them, particularly as many households include elderly members who depend on close access to their vehicles. Joseph Purcell, acting chairman of the local residents association, explained that the proposed changes would disproportionately affect people who require easier access to their cars for daily activities.

For instance, one local resident relies on oil deliveries to heat their home in the winter months. With the removal of parking spots, the oil delivery truck would no longer have a place to park near the house, causing potential logistical problems and disruptions for those in need of essential services.

A Call for a Compromise

Purcell has called for a compromise similar to what has been implemented on other sections of the South Circular Road. On parts of the road where controlled parking areas are in operation, local residents with parking permits are allowed to share the road with bicycles. This approach has been welcomed by other residents, as it maintains access to parking while promoting sustainable transport.

Purcell suggests that a similar solution could be applied to the lower section of the South Circular Road, where parking spaces would remain for residents but could be shared with cyclists. This would alleviate the parking shortages while still allowing for safer cycling infrastructure. The residents are hoping that Limerick’s Mayor, John Moran, will intervene and help broker a solution that balances the need for active travel infrastructure with the realities of daily life for the people who live along this stretch of the South Circular Road.

Affecting the Elderly and Vulnerable: Access Issues for Local Residents

One of the key challenges of the Active Travel plan is the impact it will have on elderly residents and others with limited mobility. The loss of parking spaces close to their homes means that they would have to park further away and walk longer distances. For the elderly, this may present a barrier to accessing essential services or simply moving around their neighbourhood.

The relocation of parking to areas further from homes may seem like a minor inconvenience to some, but for those with mobility challenges, it represents a significant difficulty. For instance, elderly residents who rely on their cars for grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments, or visits to friends and family will be disproportionately impacted. The added distance between parking and their homes can turn what was once a simple task into an exhausting ordeal.

Impact on Tourism and Local Businesses

While the focus of the Active Travel plans is on creating a greener and more sustainable environment, the changes will also affect the movement of tourists and the business community in the area. Limerick, a city rich in history and culture, attracts numerous visitors each year, and the South Circular Road is a popular route for tourists traveling to nearby attractions.

The removal of parking spots along the road could make it more difficult for tourists to access popular spots or enjoy the city’s amenities. In addition, the loss of parking could affect local businesses that rely on customer traffic. For example, some shops or service providers in the area may depend on quick parking availability for customers, and the new restrictions could lead to a drop in footfall. Local businesses fear that the Active Travel measures could inadvertently hurt their trade by making access to their establishments more difficult.

Addressing Safety Concerns: Striking a Balance

Another concern raised by residents is the potential for increased road traffic and safety issues. Local people fear that the new bike lanes could lead to conflict between cyclists and motorists, particularly in areas where parking spaces are being removed. While the aim of the Active Travel plan is to improve safety for cyclists, the balance between different modes of transport must be carefully considered to ensure that the needs of all road users are met.

The Limerick City Council has stated that the new infrastructure is “critical” to the city’s long-term sustainability goals and that it is working to minimize disruption. They emphasize that the Active Travel initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and make it a more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly place. However, locals remain wary, feeling that their concerns have not been fully addressed, particularly when it comes to accessibility and the impact on their daily lives.

Looking Forward: A Need for Dialogue and Compromise

The South Circular Road residents appear to accept the objectives of the Active Travel plans. They would prefer to see a solution that more realistically addresses their requirements. With more meetings set with the Mayor, perhaps a compromise can be found where active travel infrastructure is enhanced without isolating the residents from essential parking amenities.

The inclusive and equitable transformation of Limerick to a more sustainable city is a goal that is already out of reach if we do not actively work to include all city residents, but the most marginalized residents, in the Active Travel measures. At all stages, the council, the residents, and the city stakeholders must sustain the conversation in order to balance the needs of the visitors and the city while fulfilling the sustainable plans of the city.