Public consultation to open on new Galway active travel project amid claims of ‘copy and paste’ of controversial layout
Public consultation on Galway’s next major Active Travel project is slated to begin this week, but a city councillor has claimed the “copy and paste” of the proposal bears too many similarities to controversial Ballybane/Castlepark layout.
Public consultation on the Monivea Road active travel scheme opens on Thursday, July 23 and will run through September online. The scheme will cover nearly 2km of road from its connection with the Ballybane Road to the N6 by the Clayton hotel.
However, it appears to be déjà vu for councillors reviewing the new scheme after a year of frustrations regarding Ballybane/Castlepark.
Speaking to the Irish Independent Galway City Councillor Shane Forde said the differences from the Ballybane/Castle Park scheme are “marginal.”
“In its current format I would not be 100pc supportive for the simple reason that it’s a copy and paste of Ballybane,” he added.
Rendering showing footpath and cycle lane on northern side. © Galway City Council
The Galway City Council Active Travel team told the Irish Independent while complaints during construction of the Ballybane scheme were expected, they are “confident” it will improve safety on the road.
“It is to be expected that a higher number of complaints will be received during the construction phase of any project. While it is not yet fully operational, no significant issues have been reported to Galway City Council regarding traffic congestion or lane widths since the main construction phase was completed,” they added.
“People don’t mind active travel projects if it includes priority bus lanes.”
On July 15, Cllr Forde was one of two councillors who attended a walk-through briefing of the proposal.
The works will enhance dedicated footpath and cycle lanes, planned for the northern side of Monivea Road. Additionally, traffic lanes will be 3.2 metres wide compared to Ballybane’s 3 metre lanes.
Cllr Forde said the treatment of junctions and residential estate entrances remains largely unchanged from Ballybane/Castlepark, and so does the lack of priority bus lane.
“People don’t mind active travel projects if it includes priority bus lanes,” Cllr Forde said.
While the project will upgrade existing bus stop facilities, the inclusion of a bus lane “would require the compulsory purchase of properties including lands owned by local businesses and peoples’ front gardens,” the Galway City Council website said.
In addition, Monivea Road is not identified as a primary bus corridor in the Galway Transport Strategy.
Subsequently, Cllr Forde expressed concern about the timing of the consultation stating that many households are on holidays and become “completely tuned out from what’s happening locally.”
Hosting the consultation online only provides a barrier for those who are less comfortable using digital platforms.
Cllr Forde has given a commitment to host a drop-in public meeting soon after the Galway Races for residents to share concerns and learn more information. Until then, he encourages residents to submit their feedback via the online public submissions.
A Part 8 planning application is being accumulated. © Galway City Council
A Part 8 application is in process for the Monivea Road scheme. It will likely appear on a winter agenda for a city vote and, if approved, construction will commence in mid-2028.
“You can’t just fool people into believing that you’re giving a project that benefits the community because they’ve now seen what version one looks like, and they don’t want version two,” Cllr Forde said.