Docks safety barrier wins approval from An Bord Pleanála

The safety railings that are located at Galway Docks will be retained despite opposition from planning watchdog, An Taisce, which opposed their retention on visual grounds.

Galway Harbour Company had been granted planning permission by City Council planners for the retention of security gates and the safety railings, but this became the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

The railings on Dock Road are mounted on a raised kerb lined strip that separates the working area of the quayside from the two-lane carriageway outside. They are composed of steelwork that is primed, acid etched and painted black.

An Bord Pleanala ruled that the railings were acceptable and would not injure the amenities of the area. There will be an opportunity to review the impact the railings have in five years’ time and in light of plans for the future redevelopment of the quays.

The quay wall is a protected structure and the Planning Appeals Board made it a condition that the railings in the vicinity of the entrance to the marina pontoons be replaced with metal mesh fencing.

An Taisce appealed the decision to grant planning permission for the safety railings on the grounds that they reduce the attractiveness of the area.

They said that they have no objection to the raised kerb and safety fencing that was installed along Dock Road so as to separate the public road from the working quayside.

“Critically, this low level fencing did not obstruct views of Galway Docks. However, objection is raised to the replacement of this fencing by the utilitarian fencing that is now in situ,” they said.

An Taisce said that they do not object to the principal of fencing on Dock Street but oppose the poor architectural quality of the fencing that has been erected.

“Alternatives could comprise suspended chains between cast iron posts, wire between stainless steel posts or toughened glass barriers,” they suggested.

Objection was raised to what they described as the ugly, oversized, cage and gate to the marina. Objection was also raised to the recent erection of a pair of “industrial looking” security gates to the entrance to the marina.

They said that these gates debar the public from exercising their lawful “right of access” via the timber walkway, which crosses the lock gate at the entrance to the harbour. They said two pairs of gates appear to have been erected without the necessary extinguishment of the public rights of way which they block.

In response Galway Harbour Company say that activity has grown over the years and it represents a significant industrial undertaking. They add that they are conscious of the health and safety of the workforce as well as the public.

The Harbour Master said that the fencing that had been in place prior to this was unsatisfactory as members of the public were simply able to step over it.

He also drew attention to the changes that have occurred over recent years whereby the harbour area has opened up to residential development and so, instead of being a solely working environment, it is now a mixed use one wherein the need to address public safety is of a wholly different order.