Cold feet for pedal power as King leads charge against cycle lane

Bradley Bytes – A sort of political column by Dara Bradley

If a vote were taken now on the Notice of Motion by Mayor of Galway, Colette Connolly, that called for a temporary cycle lane along the Salthill Prom, it would not pass. And if it did then it certainly would not pass by a majority of 17-1, as it did in September’s vote.

Only the King of Knocknacarra Donal Lyons (Ind) voted against then. But with the passage of time and the emergence of more details, more Councillors are getting cold feet.

If you heard some of them speak about the plans during the December Ordinary meeting of the Council, you’d be 100% positive that they’d voted against it initially.

City Councillors like Noel Larkin (Ind), Terry O’Flaherty (Ind), John Connolly (FF), Peter Keane (FF), and Declan McDonnell (Ind) – all in favour in September – were cycling in reverse. And fast.

Each of them raised concerns and used strong language in opposition to the plan, that would lead you to believe they would not have voted for it again at the pre-Christmas meeting.

Other supporters like Niall McNelis (Lab) and Eddie Hoare (FG) appeared lukewarm; their support had softened. Even Owen Hanley (Soc Dems), who would vote for it again, recognised problems in the plan to implement the motion.

Mike Cubbard (Ind), Colette Connolly (Ind), Martina O’Connor (Green), and Niall Murphy (Green), remain steadfast in favour of change. But even they recognise the combative tone of contributions from colleagues in opposition to the cycle way.

The motion that passed in September read: “That Galway City Council shall urgently seek to create a two-way segregated cycle track on a temporary basis along the coastal side of Salthill promenade, specifically the R336 from the junction with Grattan Road up to the junction of the Prom/Blackrock Tower and a one-way cycle track from the latter junction up to where the R336 meets with the R337, and shall immediately apply for Covid-19 funding or any available alternative source of funding to facilitate this.”

There was no clarity what implications it would have for two-way traffic, which will for one section at least, go one-way; and for public transport, which will have to re-route.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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