Limerick improvement projects

1.4mm of uncollected derelict site levies for Limerick. Quite high in comparison to other, similar sized, cities like Galway and Waterford.

And what about the exemplary collection rate in 9 counties with €0 outstanding ?

Something very suspicious about these figures, total of 135 derelict sites in the GDA (Dublin City, Fingal, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown and South Dublin (combined) vs 229 in Cork (combined), or 270 in Mayo vs 71 in Tipperary, or 12 in Galway (combined) vs 82 in Waterford and 427 in Limerick ??? Sounds like the classification and counting of derelict sites is a bit inconsistent.

That’s not an exemplary collection rate, it shows that haven’t even levied.

Limerick C&C and Cork City are much moire active than other councils.

"exemplary collection rate" was pure sarcasm on my part.

Looking at the figures a little further the inconsistency across councils is quite striking. This is the register for the County of Wicklow in its entirety - That's it - 3 properties. https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Planning/Derelict-Vacant-Sites/Derelict-Sites

It's a similar story on a number of other councils.

You'd also have to question Cork City's figures; while it's quite a long list compared to many other authorities, it includes this for example:

The re-development of this site was completed in December 2023 and it has been trading successfully as a Premier Inn Hotel since early this year. (The Cork City Council register is un-dated but includes entries up to 12/07/2024 so it can be assumed to be current). Also worth looking at is the map that the council provide - obviously the mileage expenses paid by the council to it's inspector/s are pretty miserable given the scarcity of derelict sites outside the city centre (say 2.5km from Patrick's Bridge). https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/services/planning/vacancy-derelict-sites-and-residential-zoned-land-tax/derelict-sites.html

Turning to Limerick, the list is lengthy, and contains a wide variety of sites. Running through the City, it included sites I know on William St, Catherine St, Cecil Street, Roxborough Road and also landmarks like the old CIE Sports & Social Club. As far as I could see all areas of the county area are represented. The list is inflated somewhat by the inclusion of an incomplete estate of 33no. houses in Rathkeale (Ballywilliam Close) which are listed individually. This is the only "ghost estate type development" I saw on any of the various Council lists I looked at (and before the usual nit-pickers descend on me I get that this doesn't technically qualify as a ghost estate, even though it is an estate of 33 part built/unfinished dwellings). The Limerick list certainly supports @Reputable Rog's contention that Limerick City & County Council are a lot more active than their fellow councils. https://www.limerick.ie/council/services/housing/derelict-and-vacant-sites/derelict-sites

Well done Limerick, but it certainly looks like someone in Government needs to take this by the scruff of the neck nationally if the Derelict Sites Levy is to achieve it's intended purpose.

A bus driver was shot in the face Friday by an air gun and today a bus driver in the city was taken hostage with all of the passengers. According to you anyone who thinks we need stricter laws and more guarda presence around the city is a “Maud Flanders”. But hey what do I know.

Is that for the 340 IPA lads or is that going to be an existing premises?

Limerick Council are historically very active in taking over derelict sites, perhaps this is the effect of taking over the properties instead of collecting the tax?

https://www.limerickpost.ie/2023/05/04/limerick-council-steps-up-compulsory-acquisition-of-derelict-properties/#google_vignette

I'd love to see them get control of the old Mill building on Robert Street, a very fine building that deserves to be rescued while there is still time. It has deteriorated terribly over the last 20 years. And sorting out that appallingly ugly unfinished building on the corner of Ellen Street and Carr Street would also be great.

in terms of the cycle lanes, There is an approved lave that finishes partially out the Rosbrien road. I counted yesterday and there are only 11 houses there and remainder are in areas with lanes.

What's the plan exactly ?

Id it to make the one way road contraflow or is it part of a bigger project ?

All the cycle lane symbols on Brookville Avenue have been scratched off recently. Haven't seen anything about whether it's corrective work or vandalism.

Where are you hearing about this plan ?

Right so you are just assuming he is talking about that part of the road.

The way you were getting all worried about it I thought you knew about some plan for there.

Definitely more than needing repainting as the spots where they were on the tarmac is all disturbed. All I can think is it's either vandalism or they are correcting the stupid but common mistake of having bike lanes go the opposite ways to normal lanes.

Those lanes never took up any usable road space anyway so no reason to get rid of them.

I don't see a huge problem there tbh,space off the road and just cause you have a lane doesn't give any cyclist the right to cycle madly (i cycle quiet a lot also,but do take care of myself rather than expect everyone to give way to me),it passes a crossing ,so like everyone else they should be slowing down for pedestrians anyway. i really think people get overworked on these cycle lanes for a whole cohort of reasons but just take them for what they are a safer place to cycle along ,not a hyper invinciblity corridor !

Firstly it's not a pedestrian crossing so road users do not slow down whereas you are saying the bike should slow twice in that instance. Second when those types come to a road junction you are again expected to stop to let the road user turn which goes against standard practice on a road.

I dont know the junction, but from the pic above it sure as hell looks like a pedestrian crossing with the dipped path and lights with push buttons and whatever those things are called.

"The slowing down twice" this is not a really an issue it should be common self preservation instinct to take caution coming to a junction ,I see it with cyclists quiet a bit on the road where they plough on regardless and don't or won't yield again "you have to look our for yourself" there is enough bad road users with cars, bikes,pedestrians that none of us should be taking anything for granted, i still stand by above ,i dont see a huge issue with the lane above (it could be better ) but having cycled everywhere for years it better than sharing a small road space with a car and been forced into the kerb.

anyway does anyone have a picture of this rosbrien location as i can't picture it ? is it a case that they are reducing down to 1 lane for cars ? or is it two way ? just trying to pinpoint the location !

Yes it has lights so therefore road users only stop when the light is red and plough on full speed otherwise. The bike user has to keep yielding.

You might think it's better but many cyclists don't. The problem is it would be very very very easy to build something which would have suited both. We have the means and blueprints to do it properly so we should not let councils off with doing it substandard.

As far as I know the short section of cycle lane on the Rosbrien Road is just to link up with the new one being built through the Baggott Estate so it gives connectivity to Ballinacurra Road.

They were the "right way" (as in the same as every other dual cycle lane I have seen in Limerick) which is actually backwards. Everywhere else I have been in Europe cycle traffic will pass you the same side as regular road traffic lanes.

Maybe they want to install traffic lights on the cycle lane?

Maybe get off the internet if you don't want to hear others opinions?

My traffic light comment was tongue in cheek but if we want to play Mr. Serious it's highly likely they are just being repainted

Its an opinion on how a cycle lane down the rosbrien road or the greenfields road to meet up with the proposed one through the baggot estate could work. I'm not sure how you consider it irrelevant. Perhaps you have an opinion yourself on how it might work?

I know generally you don't like my opinions on other matters so if you'd rather not hear them there's a mute function in boards you can try out instead of making comments such as the above

Some say it's the full length from Childers Road to Old Crescent. Some call the whole thing Greenpark road, I think officially it's Greenpark Road as far as the level crossing, then Rosbrien Road to Old Crescent. If you look at Google maps it has both Rosbrien Road and Greenpark Road listed for the section between Childers Road and the level crossing.