New campaign to make Galway’s waterways safer

Plans to erect safety barriers to protect people from falling into Galway’s wild waterways are back on the agenda.

A businessman and city councillor says installing railings and, if necessary walls, could save lives and reduce risk of death by drowning.

Proposals for more street lighting near water, as well as high-tech infra-red CCTV cameras that could help to locate people that fall, or jump, into the river are also under consideration.

It’s all part of a concerted campaign to make Galway’s attractive water network safer.

“Galway is a city surrounded by water. Our canals and river and sea are what make the city unique. But the Corrib is a fast flowing river, and it can be dangerous and so everything must be considered in the interest of health and safety,” said Councillor Niall McNelis.

The Labour Party representative in 2014 asked Galway City Council to carry out a safety audit of the city’s canals and river but he’s still waiting.

Two years on, and this week he’s ramping up pressure on the local authority to complete the audit.

“I don’t know why it’s taking so long. If they don’t have the expertise, why not ask the Irish Water Safety, which is headquartered in Galway? We need to know where are the entry points along the river and canals where there is a greater risk of falling in.

“Since railings were erected at Galway Harbour, there have been no reports of people falling into the water down there. It’s the same at the Bridge Mills – that was a particularly dangerous place until railings were put in and now it’s safe.”

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune