Limerick-Shannon MASP Policy Objective 3
b. It is an objective to seek investment to deliver a Connected and Autonomous (CAV) R&D testbed and smart infrastructure in Shannon. c. It is an objective to improve and enhance Shannon as an attractive residential location through placemaking and regeneration initiatives.
Shannon a. The Limerick-Shannon MASP recognises Shannon as a significant regional strength and employment centre. It is an objective to support and promote Shannon as a centre for research and development for autonomous vehicles which will complement Shannon’s role as a world leader in aviation, aerospace, engineering, manufacturing and distribution.
2.3 | Limerick-Shannon MASP and the Wider Region
Competitive cities drive competitive regions by promoting growth and employment and by joining up separate business hubs, infrastructural assets and clusters, to expand existing markets and create new ones. Analysis by the National Transport Authority (NTA) identifies the catchment of Limerick and Shannon MASP (see Map 2) and includes areas previously referred to as the Mid-West Limerick City Region. This sphere of influence of the Limerick-Shannon MASP will extend northward towards Galway, southwards towards Cork and Tralee, eastwards towards Tipperary Town and Nenagh, and west towards Kerry. The catchment has a number of dynamic relations including: international connectivity through the Port and Airport, connections to the Dublin, Galway, Cork andWaterford metropolitan areas, connection to Key Towns in the Mid-West and its relationship to surrounding towns, villages and rural areas. It contains a significant number of commuters to the Metropolitan Area and there are cultural, social, sporting, education, health services and amenity linkages in both directions.
There is need for a complementary focus to enable those areas outside of the metropolitan boundary to pursue a greater degree of self-containment of employment, services provision and patterns of commuting. Development of self-contained economic roles in settlements and rural areas will reinforce the economic strength of the Metropolitan Area. The MASP recognises and supports the role of Nenagh, Ennis and Newcastle West as Key Towns well connected to the Limerick-ShannonMASP. Limerick 2030 highlights Newcastle West as a key location to complement the growth of the Metropolitan Area. Other settlements and rural areas have potential for complementary roles, interacting with the Metropolitan Area and benefitting from the economic spread from larger centres of scale, nurturing local enterprise growth, local jobs and developing strong roles that contribute to their mutual success. There are opportunities for networks of settlements, harnessing specialist roles and driving shared strengths to generate stronger economic interactions with the Metropolitan Area. Enhanced connectivity (transport and digital) within the Metropolitan Areas, between other settlements and between other Metropolitan Areas is an essential enabler to strengthen these opportunities.
Southern Regional Assembly | RSES
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