Since I declared for DEM, people have been asking me lots of questions. They wonder why I keep refering to Limerick's untapped potential and what I could mean by that.
What is it that we can do differently to do better.
Let's start with the public transportation and related housing angle, here's an article of mine which details my views since 2019 in the great Limerick rail debate. Most people call this "transport orientated development" these days. I am a big fan. Let me explain why.
Limerick has it all.
It is almost uniquely positioned among Irish cities in how quickly and cheaply it could turn on a suburban and city centre train network. Compare this to the eternal debate and escalating costs of a single metro line in Dublin.
It has hectares of public land right close to those train stations on which new neighbourhoods can be built well and affordably.
The great thing about trains is they do not fight for road space leaving access for current motorists while providing alternatives for others which helps keep numbers of cars from increasing too fast. Trains also allow you to bring along a bike or scooter for the "last mile" trip to or from the train station. Buses do not.
I and others made this case to government back in 2019 and they woke up to the facts and listened.
When I pushed this back in 2019, the most charitable way my ideas were described was probably "Novel".
Well now, they have now become mainstream and we could even do more.
It was super to see these ideas adopted by the government parties as policy since the last election in 2020. Limerick train lines will soon be the new reality on which we can build a better Limerick with developments like Colbert Quarter.
It takes brave voices sometimes to push the boat out. So kudos to Caitriona Cahill, the then policy director and economist of Limerick Chamber, for joining her voice to our LiveableLimerick submission on the point.
As mayor, I would certainly be prioritising not just the rail lines promised now to be delivered but building thousands of new homes, offices and amenities within walking distance of those stations. As that is happening, the lines can be extended out to more and more county towns. But let's be clear. The homes need to built more quickly than planned in Colbert but also in areas like Moyross around the other new stations. An exective mayor who has cared and fought for this for years is perfectly situated to get it all going properly.
