The car park gates and toilets at Ballyloughane Beach must be left open at weekends, especially during fine weather, so last weekend’s scenes of gridlock and public discomfort are not repeated.
This is the view of Independent councillor Terry O’Flaherty, who has received numerous complaints from the public on the matter.
Cllr O’Flaherty said that the good weather last weekend brought many people out to Ballyloughane but with the gates closed, motorists were left with “no option but to park along the narrow roadway”.
“This caused gridlock and frustration particularly as the adjacent car park was left empty which they could not access,” she said. “The toilets are open from Monday to Friday and it beggars belief why they are locked up over weekends.”
Cllr O’Flaherty said the good weather was forecast well in advance so the Galway City Council should not have allowed this situation to occur.
She has also raised concerns about the numerous dogs fouling in this area and she is appealing to dog and horse owners to “clean up their mess instead of leaving it to others to do their dirty work for them”. She also said seaweed needs to be removed from the bathing area.
Cllr O’Flaherty has called on the council to deal with these issues.
