The Government is investing €4 million in the development of 'green routes' in and around Limerick City.

Mid West TD and newly appointed Minister for Defence, Tony Killeen has confirmed that Limerick is one of four regional cities in Ireland to benefit under a €14 million investment programme, which is targeted at providing bus priority on some of Limerick City's busiest commuter routes.

Of the €4 million being invested in Limerick City, €2.4million is being provided for the Southern Green Route ranked as the highest priority for a green route from the south in the Limerick Bus Corridor Selection Report.

This will complete the Southern Green route already in place in the county through the city council area to the edge of the city centre.

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Some €1.7 million is being provided for the William Street and Mulgrave Street Green Routes which are heavily used by bus operators in Limerick city as well as to advance design of Phase II of the Dublin Road Green Route in the county area of Limerick city.

Welcoming Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey's announcement, Minister Killeen said that the investment in bus priority will significantly improve journey times for commuters and shoppers on the routes concerned.

He added that reliability and the quality of bus services that will be delivered by these bus priority measures, are a key element in reducing traffic congestion in Limerick City.

He continued: "The 2010 allocations are focused on bus priority measures on routes with the heaviest usage during peak hours. This will deliver the greatest time savings for the largest number of public transport users as possible."

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen said that the Department of Transport is currently awaiting the findings of the Limerick Public Transport Feasibility Study on Park and Ride and other issues relating to public transport.

He added that the Department will consider proposals for Park and Ride emerging from the study.

(BMcC/GK)