An extensive survey into how Oranmore locals feel is neded for the enhancement of the village has shown that there is significant demand an increased public realm space and traffic restructions.
517 responses were received to the recent online survey titled “What’s Your Vision For Oranmore?”. which was launched by the MÓR Action group to inform their submissions to the Council on behalf of the local population. The survey ran from mid-June to mid-July.
The responses overwhelmingly indicated a desire for significant public realm enhancements, particularly the development of coastal and recreational amenities.
A coastal cycling and walking route between Oranmore and Galway City topped the list of preferred amenities with 80.7% of respondents favouring this, with a cycling and walking route from Oranmore to Rinville Park a close second (78.5% ).
On the list of things to change, illegal and inconsiderate parking on footpaths, as well as excessive speeds on the approach roads to Oranmore featured highly in freetext comments.
Interestingly, car drivers made up more than 60 per cent of the overall survey respondents. Even more remarkable was the fact that 78.9 per centof all respondents favoured a 30kmh speed limit for Oranmore.
With another 30.4% of respondents accessing Oranmore on foot, it is unsurprising that the narrowness and poor quality of footpaths provided significant source for comment. The lack of amenities for children and teenagers within the centre of Oranmore were also highlighted as concerns.
Attention was also drawn to the problematic development of recreational amenities located outside Oranmore which necessitates car access, reducing opportunities for teenage independence, and for healthy active travel to sports and social activities.
Enhancement of the public realm space is a clear priority with 56.7% of respondents seeking public seating throughout the village, and the creation of a public plaza garnering 55.9% of the vote.
In terms of reducing the volume of traffic entering the village, the significant impetus for the transition from car to bike is the introduction of protected bike lanes. 78.2% of those who live within a 3km radius of the village said they would choose to cycle to the village instead of driving if segregated cycle lanes were in place. Better quality footpaths would encourage almost 50% of respondents living within 3km to walk instead of driving. Respondents said that the answer to Oranmore’s traffic congestion is clear.
The full list of results will be published on the MÓR Action website moraction.blogspot.com The group is also circulating the full anonymised findings to local councillors, senators and TDs, as well as to Galway County Council’s local area team to guide them in the future development of Oranmore.
“The people of Oranmore have given public representatives a mandate and clear details of what they want to see in Oranmore. The next step is for our elected officials to drive that change forward and make sure it happens as quickly as possible,” it said in a statement.
