Pedestrian danger at Maunsells Road to be removed

A lengthy campaign by local residents to tackle one of the most dangerous bottlenecks in the city looks set to pay off in the coming weeks when Galway City Council will seek approval for a new footpath at Maunsells Road.

City officials are poised to put plans for the road improvements at the junction between Maunsells Road and Taylor’s Hill on display in the coming weeks, after advertising a Part VIII planning application which needs the approval of the elected members.

The decision to press ahead with the project follows years of campaigning by the Maunsells Residents Association, who were galvanised into action when a father and his six year old son were knocked off a bicycle by a bus at the bottleneck in January 2011.

A new footpath will be constructed along a 100 metre stretch along the west side of Maunsells Road, with adjustments to the junction and boundary walls.

The roadway is used by many children who cycle or walk to school each day.

A spokesperson for the Maunsells Residents Association said the campaign to construct a footpath had been stepped up over the past six years, due to concerns that a pedestrian would be killed or seriously injured.