Tensions between the two sides in the debate over the proposed temporary cycleway for Salthill are rising, with just 24 hours left until the deadline closes for submissions on the proposal.
More than 1,000 submissions have been made during the public consultation process which concludes tomorrow, but already there has been a lot of comment from those for and against the project.
Cllr Donal Lyons told the Galway Advertiser last evening that he disagrees with the spending of a million euro on what will be a temporary project
“The announcement that there is one million euro being allocated for the cycleway by the National Transport Authority beggars belief,” Cllr Lyons said.
“If this is a temporary arrangement, only going to be there for six months - for me you are looking at a permanent arrangement. It seems an awful lot of money when you consider the amounts being earmarked for other cycling infrastructure which are going to be permanent in the city.
'Detrimental effect’
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Cllr Lyons says the cycleway ‘will have a detrimental effect’ on a number of local businesses in the Knocknacarra area.
“I was surprised and shocked that the senior roads engineer indicated that when they would be deciding on the options that they will only take into consideration options one and two, that the third choice (status quo ) on the portal will not be taken into account by the executive,” Cllr Lyons adds.
However, this ‘do-nothing’ option has been slammed by Green Party senator Pauline O’Reilly who said that 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”.
"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,” she said.
A new Amsterdam
The Galway Cycling Campaign say that the adoption of the cycleway could turn Galway into Amsterdam for future generations.
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“The perfect is the enemy of the good. We support Option 2 with modifications like the following, which should have been in the design from the start: more pedestrian crossings, more disabled parking, the introduction of Age Friendly parking, and for the cycleway to use the grass verge near Ladies Beach so 15 disabled parking bays can be on the seaside.
“It is almost funny now to think back of the ferocious conversations around the pedestrianisation of Shop Street,” they stated.
“Our streets are in a constant state of change and renewal. Thank goodness! Would anyone with a straight face suggest reverting the plaza around Spanish Arch into a carpark,” they added.
'High risk'
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The Poolnarooma Residents Association have also highlighted their opposition to the cycleway proposals.
”The Prom and its various amenities adds to life in Galway. The proposal will reduce certain cohorts of the community access to these amenities. In summary, in light of high risk to public safety, the significant negative impact to local businesses and also to the environment, we are completely opposed to both proposals. We believe both proposals are unjust and very poorly thought out.”
