Limerick’s ambitious plans copperfastened by new National Development Plan

  • Limerick City and County Council

Balanced regional development still crucial element of country's future success.

Limerick’s ambitious plans for it's rejuvenation and development have been copper fastened with the unveiling of the new National Development Plan as part of Project Ireland 2040.

As part of the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027, the government has given permission to Limerick City and County Council, who will be the lead authority on the project, to begin the planning phase of the M20 Limerick to Cork motorway.

The new Limerick to Foynes Road, which includes a bypass of Adare, as well as the Coonagh to Knockalisheen phase of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road are on the list for investment funding.

The plan outlines there will be a bypass of Newcastle West on the N21 and works will be carried out further west on the same road at Abbeyfeale.

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to funding the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan to help revitalise the communities through various supports under the three pillars of physical, social and economic regeneration.

Limerick will see an improved public transport system and will also be able to apply for funding to develop projects which will revitalise the city centre through a new €2 billion Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

Projects being developed under Limerick 2030 will be able to source finance from this fund.

Limerick’s towns and villages will have an opportunity to benefit from a separate Rural fund worth €1 billion.

The reinstatement of the Limerick-Foynes rail line will take place as part of the overall expansion of the Shannon Foynes Port.

While the Shannon Group is to invest around €150 million in it's capital programme over the next number of years, to develop Shannon International Airport and tourism facilities across the region.

The development of the city will be helped by the government’s commitment to carry out major flood defence works.

Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council said: “Limerick City and County Council welcomes the commitment by the government to fund our ambitious plans to develop and enhance the city and county. While a strong city is crucial to the development of the region, we recognise and welcome the plans to revitalise rural towns and villages.

We look forward to working with our colleagues in Cork, Galway and Waterford to further develop the regions and continue to make them even more attractive for investment and growth.”

Overall the National Planning Framework (NPF) projects that the population of Limerick city and it's environs will grow by between 50 and 55,000 people by 2040 to a total population of 150,000.

Maria Woods, Senior Planner with Limerick City and County Council said: “We welcome the promotion of Limerick as one of the key growth areas outlined in the NPF. While one of the aims of the NPF is to address regional imbalance between the greater Dublin area and the rest of the country, we are still concerned that the plan outlined by the government means that the status quo will remain in terms of population distribution across the country.”

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