Some on-street parking in Limerick will have to be sacrificed if a controversial new cycle path goes ahead, a local Green Party TD has confirmed. 

The proposed cycle lane will connect the city centre with the South Circular Road and a number of well-populated suburbs in between. 

However, Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea has urged councillors to vote against the proposal - citing the loss of on-street parking for his opposition. 

Speaking to The Pat Kenny Show, his constituency colleague Brian Leddin acknowledged that the plans would mean some local residents lose their parking spots but said “something has to give” if the project is to get built. 

“A small number of homes will lose that privilege that they currently enjoy,” he said. 

“But this is the point I’m trying to make, any time we build or seek to build critical infrastructure… there will always, of course, be trade offs. 

“We have to understand those trade offs and do everything we can, of course, to look after the needs of people up to whatever point we can. 

“But at some point we have to say the infrastructure is critical, it needs to be safe and it needs to be built.” 

A cyclist uses the newly created pop-up cycle lane.

Deputy Leddin said alternative arrangements for affected residents would keep any inconvenience to a minimum. 

“The Council has provided additional parking on adjacent streets,” he said. 

“So, these people - the ones who don’t have gardens [that can be converted into parking space] and currently park outside their front gate - they will have to park around the corner. 

“So, a very short distance and there’s a very small number of those.” 

New cycle lanes in Blackrock Village. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

Deputy Leddin described cycle lanes as “critical infrastructure” and key to developing Limerick’s economy. 

“It will be something that Limerick will be proud of when it’s developed,” he said. 

“And I like to say ‘when it’s developed’ rather than ‘if’ because it really does need the support of all the councillors in Limerick and the elected representatives as well.” 

Main image: Split of a cycle lane and parked cars. Pictures by: Alamy.com