In only two weeks, more than 500 Galwegians have identified locations in and around the city where streets are considered dangerous for prams, walkers, cyclists, and scooters.
Almost 600 locations have been plotted on an online map by Dave Corley of #Barriers2Galway and road safety enthusiast Eoin Ryan, who together have founded a WhatsApp-driven community group called SaferStreets4All.
“Some dangerous crossing points on roads were highlighted by so many people that we had to take an editorial decision to remove some pins so the map wouldn’t look so littered,” says Ryan, who noted that the new online map tool received almost 160 submissions within days of going live late last month.
“We’re learning about dangerously narrow and disappearing footpaths, excessively wide junction crossings making safe-crossing extremely challenging, and a high level of stress for walkers and wheelers,’’ he says.
While many submissions to the map came from individuals, organisations also got involved. Ability West, for example, provided details of specific hazards around its community centre that need urgent attention.
“There’s a wild level of demand for this infrastructure,” says Ryan, who commended the city council for various improvements around the city, but lamented speed. “At this rate it’s going to take 50 or 60 years to fix well-known issues.”
The map is already highlighting patterns across Galway city.
Knocknacarra and Roscam are neighbourhoods with dozens of permeability opportunities; typically pathways blocked by high walls.
Several roads in Clybaun, Rahoon, Barna, Salthil, Rosshill, Castlegar and Terryland are all recorded as having either just one, or no footpaths at all.
Kissing gates are noted obstacles across city parks and neighbourhoods, especially in Westside and near Castlepark.
Dangerous crossing points are clustered in the city centre, Salthill, and all Galway’s roundabouts, while obstacles on paths, such as trees, stiles, narrow gaps, boulders, bollards and steep steps occur in all areas.
New National Transport Authority Cost Management Guidelines advise that zebra crossing designs typically cost €20,000, including kerbing, ramps, painting and road signs.
“With €200,000 a day for a few days, the scale of improvement we could make to the city means parents would happily send their kids out to the shops, or cycle to school, instead of having to get in the car because the stores 500 metres away [as the crow flies] require a 1.6km drive because there are walls between estates.
“This would be ten thousand times cheaper than a ring road, and could be done now,” adds Ryan. “I’d do it myself if I knew how.”
City councillors Alan Curran (SD ) and Helen Ogbu (Lab ) have endorsed the SaferStreets4All initiative. Join via QR Code or https://chat.whatsapp.com/Efw6O8Xh Oym3Bb17cp6eBb
