The inclusion of a ‘Neither/Do Nothing’ option in the online consultation for the proposed Salthill cycleway is a “cynical move”, supported by “councillors living in the past”.
This is the view of Green Party senator, Pauline O'Reilly, who is calling on the public to support Option 2 in what is proving to be a controversial attempt to introduce cycling infrastructure in Salthill.
The public have until tomorrow, Friday January 28, to vote for one of three options. Option 1 is for one way vehicular traffic along the R336 (from the Grattan Road junction to the Barna Road junction ).
Option 2 is for two way vehicular traffic from the Grattan Road junction to the Pollnarooma West junction, and one way vehicular traffic from the Pollnarooma West junction to the Barna Road junction.
Option 3 is ‘Neither/Do Nothing’, and it is the inclusion of this which Sen O’Reilly has branded “one of the most cynical moves yet that I have seen from this council”.
'Living in the past'
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Sen O’Reilly [pictured above] argues that the elected councillors voted to install a temporary cyclelane in Salthill in some shape or form, but that the council executive’s inclusion of ‘Neither/Do Nothing’ “would invite the public to conclude there should be no change, the complete opposite of the decision already made by the councillors”.
A number of councillors support the no change position and have publicly called for people to support that option. However, Sen O’Reilly has blasted them as “councillors living in the past”.
"Salthill is ripe for rejuvenation,” she said. “While the rest of the country is getting on with cycling infrastructure, Galway is lagging behind. Don't let the old fashioned councillors get away with pulling the wool over our eyes.”
Funding
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Sen O’Reilly is a keen supporter of Option 2 and said, despite the concerns of local businesses, it will “not take any space from the prom” nor will there be any “blue accessible parking lost”. She also added that the cycleway is temporary and being run on a six month trial period, “to see what works”.
She was also critical of councillors who claimed there was no funding for the cycleway, pointing out how, the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, this week gave the final go ahead to €1 million in funding to the council for the temporary cyclelane.
Sen O’Reilly securing the cycleway was “a battle for the health, safety, and independence of our children”, and she called on the public to vote Option 2 by tomorrow.
