Mayo accessibility success highlights Galway's beach mat delay
ALMOST five years after wheelchair-accessible beach mats were trialled at Ladies Beach in Salthill, the equipment remains in storage, in what has been described as “a mockery and an embarrassment” by former Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Mike Cubbard (Ind).
The issue has come to light once again following the successful rollout by neighbouring local authority Mayo County Council of similar mats designed to improve beach access for wheelchair users.
"It's Mayo, it's not the Caribbean," said Cllr Cubbard at this month's meeting of Galway City Council.
"This is unacceptable that we can't do it in Galway."
Cllr Cubbard secured funding for the initiative ahead of a trial of the mats at Ladies Beach in September 2021.
However, despite repeated calls for their introduction, the mats have yet to be deployed on either a permanent or seasonal basis.
The issue resurfaced at this month's Galway City Council meeting, where officials said Galway City's beaches may not be suitable because of tidal conditions.
"Our beaches are not suitable for these mats," officials said.
"We are in a tidal zone. They have to go down and stay down. We are trying to find a location and we are looking at Silverstrand. But we may not have a suitable location. We are looking at all beaches, but Salthill is not suitable, as it is quite tidal."
Cllr Eddie Hoare (FG), who raised the issue at the meeting, did not accept that explanation.
He argued that the wheelchair-friendly mats could be rolled out at suitable times and did not need to be a permanent feature on beaches.
"I fail to accept that as reasonable," he said. "This is a poor excuse. There has to be a solution, even for one day a week. We need to find a solution.
"They were never going to be permanent. I am not saying they have to be out every day. Put them down and take them back up again. They can be put down one or two days, or over a weekend, when we are promised good weather."
At this month's meeting, Cllr Cubbard railed against the near five-year delay and highlighted not only Mayo County Council's success but also Galway County Council's identification of Spiddal beach as a possible location for the wheelchair-accessible mats.
"Galway County Council is looking at Spiddal Beach,” he said.
“Yet, for nearly five years, the wheelchair mats (for Galway City) have been in storage. We can't advance them in Galway and this is an embarrassment."
Cllr Cubbard pointed to the lack of accessibility and equality for wheelchair users.
We are making a mockery of ourselves by saying we are a city of equals. It is an utter disgrace."
He called on Galway City Council management to find a solution before the summer ends, warning that the window of opportunity is short.
"Leadership is needed," he said. "Don't come back to us after the summer and say it couldn't be done."