Galway In Days Gone By

1920

Roads in rag order

At yesterday’s meeting of the Galway Urban Council (Mr. J. S. Young, J.P., presiding) the members vigorously adumbrated the conditions of the roads in the urban area, and criticised the officials for their lack of interest in the matter, and complained that at the present rate of steamrolling it would be some years to come before all the streets in the city would have been put into proper repair.

Mr. Faller introduced the discussion by expressing the wish that Mr. Binns, Borough Engineer, was present in order that he might be able to tell him what he thought of his work on the New Line.

Steamrolling had been going on there for 7 weeks, and at this rate the progress of the work along by the Diocesan College would not be thoroughly completed within the next month. He proposed that when they undertook to steamroll a road they would also look after the sides of the channels.

Mr. McDonogh raised the question whether there was any officer at the Board responsible for the roads.

“The Town Steward and Mr. Binns looks after them,” answered the Chairman.

Mr Ashe: Mr. Binns ought to know whether the men are doing their work or not.

“There is not a road in Galway made properly,” was Mr. McDonogh’s complaint. The only road that was ever well made was made by direct labour at Eyre Square and Francis Street.

Mr Crowley concurred. Mr. Cooke stated that although steamrolling was supposed to last a considerable time, they had no road in Galway which lasted more than two years, despite all the money that had been spent on them during the last eight years. His suggestion was that they should get a practical man who would do the roads.

Sir James concurred; they ought to have a practical man for one or two months; unless they get a practical man the condition of the roads would continue to be a disgrace.

Mr. Faller said there was a piece of a road in Prospect Hill which if not looked after quickly would involve the Council in danger as a serious accident.

He suggested that pending steamrolling the hollows in that road should be filled up with stones.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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