A renewed effort should be made to finally realise the long held ambition to extend the Salthill Promenade towards Bearna in the west and towards Renmore in the east.
This is the view of Sinn Féin’s Galway City West candidate Cathal Ó Conchúir, who is calling on the Galway City Council to “investigate the possibility of this proposal”.
Investigations are already taking place in regards to extending the prom towards Silverstrand, but Mr Ó Conchúir believes a public walkway could be extended to Bearna Pier.
“The recently established Greenway which stretches from Westport to Achill is a shining example of this type of development,” he said. “If all political parties in the city council worked as a collective on these projects, Galway city could follow this example.”
However Mr Ó Conchúir said all environmental issues must be considered when planning for any extension of the prom. “It is important the natural processes of erosion and deposition are not interfered with, especially at the drumlin Cnocán na gCoiníní at Silverstrand,” he said.
The eroded material from the drumlin face is the material that is deposited to form the sand bar that encloses Rusheen Bay. Mr Ó Conchúir said care would have to be taken not to increase wave energy on to this bar as it would eventually erode away completely and destroy the natural amenity of Rusheen Bay.
He also said alternative routes could be investigated such as creating a walkway around Rusheen Bay itself, proving issues regarding rights of way that are currently blocked are restored.
