Galway City Council hopes to be able to facilitate outdoor dining in Dominick Street, William Street West, and the Small Crane, with discussions ongoing with the emergency services and businesses in the locality. However, it is unlikely that any arrangement will be finalised before this Bank Holiday weekend.
Proposals for areas in Galway’s West End in Dominick Street, William Street West and Small Crane are currently being reviewed in partnership with the local business and emergency services and the Council hopes to facilitate all stakeholders to find a proposal that can be delivered safely, they said last evening. A number of businesses in the hospitality sector are set to reopen on Monday.
"Galway City Council is developing trial initiatives in a number of areas to facilitate an outdoor summer by improving our public spaces and increasing the space to facilitate businesses in the city that are reopening," the statement added.
.
"These developments will create attractive, co-ordinated and managed areas within the city for the public to enjoy. Phase One of our trial initiatives will see outdoor spaces created in Middle Street, Woodquay, Ravens Terrace and Salthill.
"Areas are being created in these spaces that will facilitate businesses for outdoor dining, but will also be developed further in the next phases with additional urban animation measures that will encourage families to safely and comfortably dine, enjoy and spend time in the public realm."
Alterations
The Council is eager to ensure controlled areas are implemented, but adjustments may be made in the coming weeks.
.
"Additional public facilities have been added across the city including additional portable toilets and public bins," the Galway City Council statement said.
"These measures, along with the proposals for increased public realm space, will help Galway City Council and our stakeholders to manage public spaces by working together in developing a number of managed and controlled areas for locals and visitors to Galway to enjoy outdoor living.
"These plans will continue to be assessed throughout the summer and alterations made as appropriate to respond to concerns and issues that may arise and adjustments will be made."
Public health guidelines remain
.
The Council is also urging people in the west to follow public health guides. "As the Bank Holiday weekend approaches, Galway City Council will continue to work with the Garda, the HSE, and other public health officials to ensure the health and safety of the public around issues including social distancing and the gathering of crowds," the Galway City Council statement said.
"Areas that have seen significant issues with overcrowding and were viewed as high risk by the Garda - such as the ‘Middle Arch’ - have been restricted in the interests of safety.
"As we are still in a pandemic, Galway City Council would ask that the public continue to adhere to the national Covid-19 Public Safety guidelines in regard to social distancing and limits of associating in crowds either indoors or outdoors that are advised.
Littering
.
"We would also encourage the public to have consideration for the needs of local residents in both the city centre and the Salthill area.
"The Litter Management Unit of our Environment Department has been operating an increased service in previous weeks. This will continue throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. In addition, the Litter Management Unit have put in place eight temporary 1100L wheelie bins at a number of locations," the statement concluded.
