Independent Councillor Terry O’Flaherty has welcomed confirmation that Galway City Council is to make it safe for wheelchair users to access the beach at Ballyloughane.
The local authority is to upgrade ‘kissing gates’ that are preventing people in wheelchairs accessing a pedestrian path inside the wall running alongside Ballyloughane Road, just past the railway bridge.
“The kissing gate at this location is preventing wheelchair users getting to the safe path — and because the narrow road to the beach is so busy, they are left with no option but to go all the way round where the houses are located in the village to access the beach.
“This is a very worrying situation as some motorists drive at excess speed along this narrow roadway and as people’s safety is of paramount importance the works must be given top priority.
“The Engineer responsible for these works visited the site to meet me on two occasions last March/April to have a look at the gate and he is very aware that this needs urgent attention,” added Councillor O’Flaherty.
She has received confirmation from the Council that action will be taken by the local authority.
“The Active Travel Section is committed to upgrade the kissing gate at this location to provide unhindered access to the walkway without compromising safety on Ballyloughan Road,” said an email from a Senior Executive Engineer.Cllr O’ Flaherty said that it is taking way too long to carry out the necessary works required on such a small and important job like this, she added.
