Residents step up fight against Kirwan junction plans

Galway City Tribune – Residents living near Kirwan Roundabout have reiterated their opposition to the proposed redesign of the junction, ahead of a key vote later this month.

The Kirwan Action Group claims the new junction layout will likely reduce the frequency of accidents but those accidents that do occur are more likely to be serious – and fatal.

“One of the alleged reasons for the plan is improving cyclist and pedestrian safety, yet the plan includes slip-roads which according to the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets allow vehicles to take corners at higher speeds, exposing pedestrians and cyclists to greater danger and are vehemently opposed by cycling groups.

“The junction is close to a very large residential area and school, so the danger to pedestrians will increase due to the higher speed nature of the junction particularly cars travelling down Bóthar na dTreabh towards the city. The existing roundabout may have more minor accidents but the new proposal will likely have more major accidents where loss of life could occur,” the group argues.

Galway City Councillors are expected to vote at the March Council meeting on the Part 8 planning process for the proposed junction, which faces stiff opposition from residents.

This is the last planning hurdle for the project, which has already been approved in principle by a majority of elected members who last year voted to alter the City Development Plan to facilitate the change from a roundabout to a traffic lights junction.

The action group is incensed that the project has got to the final planning stage and yet so many questions remain unanswered, including about projected traffic flows, sequence timings, delays and other details.

Residents have asked for information in relation to how the City Council arrived at a number of assumptions that are being put forward as evidence the change is needed.
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