This is a copy of a letter sent by Galway Cycling Campaign to Stephen Walsh, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent, Galway City Council on 23 January 2012.
Dear Mr Walsh,
I am writing on behalf of Galway Cycling Campaign to make a complaint concerning the cycle and walkway amenity at South Park in the Claddagh.
I am also writing to seek answers to questions we have concerning the development.
The Galway Cycling Campaign is a lobby group which advocates for the rights of cyclists in Galway City. We wholeheartedly support the addition of the South Park walkway and cycleway to the city’s recreational facilities. There is no doubting that it is a wonderful amenity for the people of Galway.
However, the main problem we have with the facility is the presence of the metal kissing gates, one at the Mutton island entrance and the other at the Nimmo’s Pier side. The presence of these gates act as a barrier to cyclists. At the Nimmo’s Pier end, cyclists are forced to stop and dismount. They are faced with a choice, either attempt to squeeze their bike awkwardly through the kissing gate or else physically lift their bicycle over the wall. The stile in the wall adjoining the gate is not wide enough to fit a bicycle through.
This design also makes is very difficult for parents to wheel their prams or buggies through or for wheelchair users to gain access.
For parents who cycle with a trailer attached transporting their young children, entry to the amenity is physically impossible. These trailers are becoming more and more popular in Galway for parents who wish to take their children on recreational cycles.
At the Mutton Island entrance cyclists must also interrupt their journey to halt and dismount, before attempting to squeeze themselves and a bicycle through the kissing gate. Access is possible through the roadway; however there are no dished kerbs installed to enable cyclists to mount what is a particularly elevated kerb.
The overall result is that the gates, which prevent cyclists from cycling through, act as a barrier to cyclists attempting to access the very facility that was built for them.
Here are the questions that the Galway Cycling Campaign is seeking answers to. I look forward to a response from you as soon as possible.
1) I understand that one of the reasons the gates were installed was to stop motorcyclists from accessing the facility. Is this true? If so, what is the nature and extent of inappropriate motorcycle access to cycle and pedestrian facilities that do not have kissing gates installed elsewhere in the city?
2) What guidelines should ideally be followed by Galway City Council when constructing such a facility? What guidelines were followed or whose advice was sought in this instance? Please specifically name the particular individuals, organisations, policy documents etc. that were consulted?
3) Was there any public consultation conducted with relevant stakeholders (cycling and pedestrian groups, disability organisations or parent organisations) prior to the building of this amenity?
4) What was the overall cost of the walkway/cycleway? What was the cost of installing the individual kissing gates? What was the name and address of the contractor who carried out the work?
5) I understand another reason for the existence of the kissing gates is to ensure cyclists slow down on approaching Nimmo’s Pier. Can you explain to me in detail where this policy originated from, and on what research it is based?
Kind Regards,
Mairéad Ní Chaoimh
