Compromise reached on Docks safety railings

New safety railings are to be erected around Galway Docks as part of a compromise between the Harbour Company and City Council.

The Harbour Company had sought planning permission to retain security gates and safety railings at the dock, as well as design modifications.

Following discussions between both parties, the plans were revised and approved.

According to planners: “It was proposed that the design of the railings incorporate a motif reflecting the maritime context of the development, taking reference from the popular and easily identifiable ‘zig-zag’ logo for the Wild Atlantic Way.”

However, they subsequently ordered that the motif be omitted from the railings.

The Harbour Company has now been given three months to draw up a work programme with “an expeditious timescale for the replacement of the railings around the entrance to the marina element; [and] an expeditious timescale for the painting of the existing railings”.

The Council said the reason for this is “in order that the existing railings can be rendered more acceptable in the context of the historic quays and in the interest of the visual amenities of the area”.

“The railings shall be removed within five years, unless a subsequent application for their retention is granted . . . pending the redevelopment of the outer and inner harbour areas,” the Council ruled.

An Taisce had voiced concerns in relation to the retention of the fencing, advising that the fence was erected temporarily for Volvo Ocean Race in 2009 and should have been removed, and there is no justification for its retention

The environmental group said the retention would have an unacceptable impact on the character and openness of the quays which are protected structures, and that enforcement action should have secured their removal.

The Harbour Company previously pointed out that their insurers had warned that if the railings were removed, both the Harbour Company and the City Council may become liable for any drownings.

There were a total of 23 drownings and/or rescues at the Docks between 2004 and 2012, compared to 111 on the River Corrib during the same period.

At the beginning of last year, the Harbour Company sought permission to retain the railings – pointing out that since they were erected in 2009, the number of rescues and drownings had decreased.

The authority also pointed out that the railings were essential in terms of anti-terrorism requirements.

“The current security arrangements relating to railings and gates is only just satisfying the Marine Survey Office, which regulates the security of Irish ports,” the Harbour Company said.