Segregated cycle lanes along the Western Distributor Road and Millers Lane are essential for both cyclists’ safety and for the creation of greenways on the west side of the city.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway City West councillor for John Connolly, who has placed a motion on this issue for discussion at an upcoming Galway City Council meeting. He has also written to the council’s transport section urging it to develop this “enhanced safety feature”.
Cllr Connolly wants to see a segregated cycle along - which would separate cyclists from motorists - along the length of the Western Distributor Road, from Cappagh Road to Bishop O’Donnell Road. “The contour and linear path of the road makes it suitable and easily adaptable for such a measure,” he said.
“Segregated cycle lanes are considerably safer and would serve as an enjoyable amenity for the city,” he said. “Conditions can be hazardous when cars and bicycles share the same road space. Separating cyclists from motorists would enhance the safety of cycling along the road.”
He also wants to see Millers Lane developed as a potential urban greenway. “It has the capability of linking Rahoon with Kingston purely for non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians,” he said. “This could also provide a direct route between Rahoon and the proposed new amenity development in Kingston. It would require little alteration to implement this.”
Cllr Connolly noted that the city development plan “compels” the council to “develop and improve” the city’s greenway network. Cllr Connolly said Millers Lane is an obvious area of development given the lane is already a public right of way, and that “a small improvement in the surface could open it up for greater use”.
