Getting around Galway

Mrs OBumble · 26-04-2023 8:26pm

It's already hard enough to recruit some roles here. Apply that, and I reckon you could see some of the medical device manufacturers give up and move overseas altogether.

26-04-2023 9:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120524940#Comment_120524940

More likely they'd be delighted to be able to turn unused parking into uber-high-value cleanroom space, which is wayyy more valuable to their bottom line

what_traffic · 27-04-2023 10:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120524940#Comment_120524940

Nope - would just have the effect of concentrating minds. It is really the IDA and the Local Councils who would be under pressure here rather than the FMN to create infrastructure required for this transition. For example Medtronic have invested a significant sum in installing an active travel centre in Parkmore about 5 yrs ago now, showers, lockers, secure bike area. What have IDA or local Council done to make it easier to get there by bike or scooter etc? Many other FMN have similar facility's in the IDA estates around the City.

WallyGUFC · 27-04-2023 10:50am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120524519#Comment_120524519

Most people have no problem switching to public transport if it is frequent, reliable and good value. Currently it takes me approx. 25 mins to get from Oranmore to Parkmore for work. As far as I can make out, there is no combination of bus routes that would get me there in anywhere close to 25 minutes at the time I need to be at work in the morning, so I drive. I'd be looking at the 404 to Castlegar GAA and the 409 to Parkmore but the times don't match up very well for my start time.

Charging me to park at work isn't going to put me off using the car to drive to work if there is no viable alternative, it will just take a few hundred extra euros out of my pocket every year. I would imagine most car commuters to Galway would have a similar issue. Oranmore has a decent service every 30 mins and it won't work for me, what about anyone coming from North of the city where there is a minimal service?

what_traffic · 27-04-2023 11:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120526961#Comment_120526961

Fair point, but I would not worry too much here in the very short term, places like City Centre are going to see this first where there is the required public transport. That 404 / 409 is going to improve in frequency and reliability in 2025/6. The IDA should really start planning NOW to start facilitating this type of public transport priority measures within there estates.

what_traffic · 27-04-2023 11:22am

Am hearing the N6 GCRR has been dropped in latest TII report, might explain the big Bus Connects PR in the local and national media the past week.

what_traffic · 27-04-2023 12:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120527093#Comment_120527093

Looks like a false alarm, was not in a "National Roads 2040" but is still in the National Development Plan doc

27-04-2023 4:41pm

Several transport related pieces in this weeks Advertiser after meetings with Cllr's

https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/135244/deaths-of-five-children-on-galway-roads-this-year-has-changed-roads-policing-chief-tells-jpc

The Super laments the number of children killed on the roads

https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/135250/issue-of-illegally-parked-cars-raised-at-jpc-meeting

Cllr's discuss the issue of cars parking on footpaths and green areas across the city. Despite concerns raised in relation to access for emergency vehicles (not to mention pedestrians, buggies, wheelchairs, mobility impaired etc), Cllr Donal Lyons appears to not want the issue dealt with and thinks cars are only parked on green areas because there are no footpaths to park on (wtf)

Cllr Donal Lyons said that some discretion is needed with this because in some areas, there are no footpaths and people have to park on green areas.

“I agree with the sentiment of clamping down in illegal parkers, and especially in the city centre where streets are blocked, but when you apply that to the suburbs, you are into a different situation,” he said.

https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/135251/appoint-clybaun-road-traffic-wardens-now-before-children-are-killed-warns-councillor

The need for traffic wardens was called out to allow kids to cross the roads safely.

Cllr Niall McNelis has again called on Galway City Council for an immediate update and filling of school traffic wardens especially for the Clybaun Road area in Knocknacarra.

He said that the posts have been unfilled for over six months and pedestrians especially young children are at serious risk.

“Yesterday an adult pedestrian was hit while assisting children crossing. The speed on this road has been highlighted on numerous occasions and again I have contacted Gardai to assist on this road and I am appealing to motorists to slow down.

Surely a controlled crossing or other engineering works would be better or do kids not cross the roads any other time?

27-04-2023 4:54pm

Public consultation has opened for The Crescent/Sea Road Junction Upgrade and is open until 8-Jun-2023.

All documents related to it are at the link below

https://www.galwaycity.ie/the-crescent-sea-road-junction-upgrade

The site is located as follows:

R337 Fr Griffin Avenue, starting 50 meters south from the junction with the LS5115 Sea Road up to the Junction upgrade of the R864 St Marys Road.

The scheme is proposed to include:

The redesign of junction of The Crescent, Salthill Road Lower, Taylor’s Hill and St. Mary’s Road to include the tightening of the junction facilitated by the rationalisation of some on-street parking.
The resurfacing of Sherwood Avenue from Taylor’s Hill Road to Scóil Fhúrsa.
The removal of the left slip lane from The Crescent to Salthill Road Lower.
Redesign of the available space to facilitate enhanced pedestrian facilities and public realm.
The upgrade to the traffic signals at this junction and linkages with the UTMC to provide better control on his Junction.
The provision of raised tables at the junctions of Crescent Green, Palmyra Park and Sea Road.
The narrowing of the Sea Road junction facilitated by build-out and the removal of 1 no. lane of traffic from the Sea Road approach.
The provision of a pedestrian crossing on Fr Griffin Avenue directly west of the junction with St Pauls Road.
The provision of a pedestrian crossing on The Crescent, directly east of the junction with Palmyra Park and resurfacing of adjacent pedestrian facilities of length approximately 330m.
Improved public realm space at the location of the existing slip road from The Crescent to Salthill Road Lower with hard and soft landscaping to be introduced.

Written submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development is situated may be made in writing to the Local Authority to arrive no later than: 4.00pm on Thursday, 8th of June 2023 to Senior Planner, Planning Department, Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway or by email to planning@galwaycity.ie.

27-04-2023 5:05pm

Public consultation has also opened for the Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme and is also open until 8-Jun-2023.

All documents and info are at the following link

https://www.galwaycity.ie/ballybanecastlepark

The site is located as follows:

R865 Ballybane Road, from its junction with the R339 Monivea Road to a point approximately 130m north of Skerritt Roundabout (R338 Dublin Road).
L5029 Castlepark Road, from its junction with R865 Ballybane Road to its junction with R339 Monivea Road

The development will consist of:

The provision of a 2m protected cycle track and 2m footpath on both sides of Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road, reducing in places where constraints exist.
Reduction in road carriageway widths (typically 3m wide lanes).
Junction realignments and the introduction of raised crossings on all side roads to prioritise pedestrian movements.
Straight through cycle lane/track crossings on all side road junctions to prioritise cyclists movements.
The provision of signalised crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.
Upgrading of the R865 Ballybane Road / L5029 Castlepark Road junction and L5029 Castlepark Road / R339 Monivea Road junction to signalised junctions with provision for pedestrians and cyclists.
The introduction of pedestrian and shared crossing points at several locations.
The provision of landscaping along the routes.

Written submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development is situated may be made in writing to the Local Authority to arrive no later than: 4.00pm on Thursday, 8th of June 2023 to Senior Planner, Planning Department, Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway or by email to planning@galwaycity.ie

27-04-2023 5:08pm

The Ballybane/Castlepark plans look very good. Protected bike lanes for almost all of it (bar junctions and one or two small bits that I could see), tightened junctions and ramps/tables to slow cars. Granted I didn't view all the drawings, the pdf file is a total hog on my laptop for some reason

This gives you an idea, with speed ramps at crossings and junctions, protected junctions etc

It will also tie in nicely to the Dublin Rd scheme.

Its the beginnings of a protected network of bike lanes.

Still a long way to go for sure, but a very welcome scheme

Gremlinertia · 27-04-2023 5:45pm

Maybe just me but I don't think there's much wrong with the Sea Road/Crescent area when there are other areas one would consider higher priority..

Agreed the Ballybane plans look good though..

27-04-2023 6:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120528725#Comment_120528725

Maybe just me but I don't think there's much wrong with the Sea Road/Crescent area when there are other areas one would consider higher priority..

Yeah I have my own list of stretches that I would put way ahead of this, but given its a project solely focused on improving the situation for pedestrians, its still very welcome and is more evidence of a shifting of priorities in GCC.....a very slow shift, but a shift nonetheless.

But to your point, I'd put Taylors Hill Rd (should be changed to a one-way to provide space for safe walking & cycling) and Maunsells rd (should be closed to vehicles at Taylors Hill Rd end) as higher priorities. No doubt others will have their own lists but those would be two that I'd love to see fixed

zell12 · 27-04-2023 7:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120528725#Comment_120528725

Have you been there when the school runs are on?

Gremlinertia · 27-04-2023 8:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120529146#Comment_120529146

I have, however I feel that's more a capacity issue that only extra land, which doesn't exist there, would alleviate. Now I'd love to see pedestrian light crossings at that junction but I don't know how the place came before others, then again I'm not familiar with the inner workings of the powers that be and how they prioritise issues..

timmyntc · 28-04-2023 8:46am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120529224#Comment_120529224

Its an issue of too many cars - there is no way to fix it other than A) relocating the jes, or B) parents sending their kids to school on buses

what_traffic · 28-04-2023 8:51am

Great news all round here.This is real progress

Sea Road/Crescent is badly needed for people on foot, pity they are not doing more with Sherwood Avenue though.Should really be local access road.

Removal of the left slip here though is a real statement for me that Engineers in City Hall are starting to finally "get it". Applaud them for it.

Finally Ballybane/Castlepark is getting an upgrade and it does look decent enough- this could be have been done decades ago without much fuss as carraigeway widths and grass margins are available (similar to Siobhan McKenna and Thomas Hynes on the Westside of the City).

what_traffic · 28-04-2023 8:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120528725#Comment_120528725

Anywhere in the City with a National School/Secondary would be high on my priority list for remedial works tbh. We know the effects of the school car traffic drive, if we can get more kids to do an actual/real School run, walk, cycle or scooter the better the City will be for it.

what_traffic · 28-04-2023 9:29am

https://connachttribune.ie/galway-bus-route-designer-admit-not-everyone-will-be-happy-with-plan/

Michelle Poyourow (pictured), of the American transport design consultancy Jarrett Walker & Associates

What was uniquely challenging in Galway was trying to locate bus routes where people could walk to.

“The biggest difficulty was the lack of pedestrian permeability between adjacent areas. Houses would be quite close as the crow flies, but the walk to the nearest bus stop is long. So you have to take the bus route and divide it between two to give access to people, but that means you reduce the frequency.

“That was the case in Ballymoneen Road and Clybaun Road, and Knocknacarra and Circular Road. It’s a thing decided during the development and planning of a city – it’s the most unique challenge for Galway.”

Thanks for saying that out loud Michelle!!

xckjoo · 28-04-2023 9:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120528725#Comment_120528725

Hopefully it'll reduce the speed people come around that corner at. It's lethal. Big junction means people don't slow down and houses close to the road means poor visibility if you're trying to cross. Lots of older people living around there too

zell12 · 28-04-2023 10:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120530876#Comment_120530876

We had to get an American to point out how bizarre Galway is for pedestrian navigation!

what_traffic · 28-04-2023 11:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120531210#Comment_120531210

Yup I get that, I think they can relate to the mess we are in. If it was Dutch or other North Europeans they would just be laughing at the idiocy up in City Hall for the last number of decades. Not including the planners in Galway City back in the 40/50/60/70's - they have a far sounder legacy IMHO

28-04-2023 5:32pm

The street closures for the west end will be delayed due to a safety issue that needs to be sorted out first, no idea what the issue is though

https://connachttribune.ie/health-and-safety-issues-halt-opening-up-of-galway-city-roads-for-hospitality/

Mrs OBumble · 28-04-2023 6:39pm

Probably trainging, insurance cover or validating licenses needed for driving the vehicles used for moving the barriers - since it sounds like pub staff doing the moving this year.

xckjoo · 28-04-2023 7:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120533251#Comment_120533251

No vehicles needed. They just used planters on wheels last year and same again this year. Council aren't involved. Businesses manage it.

zell12 · 02-05-2023 7:45pm

Why is Shop St being dug up again near Anthony Ryan's unit. What are they up to?

02-05-2023 7:53pm

Jaysus, a pretty scathing review of Galway by a top international urban planner

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/05/02/galway-looks-like-a-mouth-full-of-broken-teeth-says-one-of-worlds-leading-planners/

Mrs OBumble · 02-05-2023 8:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120547775#Comment_120547775

He's focused on areas being what the young want.

But in Irish cities other than Dublin, the young leave to see the world and come back when middle-aged to raise families. Irish families typically do want gardens behind their houses, even if foreign experts say they shouldn't.

ThePentagon · 03-05-2023 12:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120547775#Comment_120547775

He's not wrong. Development in this town suffers from such a depressing lack of vision and coherence.

what_traffic · 03-05-2023 12:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120547775#Comment_120547775

It is pretty damning alright. Spent time in Freiburg in 1998 (the summer their neighbours won the World Cup) and the summer the year after in 1999, it felt like stepping into the future back then after spending time in Galway City in UCG/NUIG during the 90's.

25 years later I can safely say from what I have read that there has been continual improvement changes in Freiburg an Brisgau since. ( A beautiful University City will have to go back some day. )

Very little to show in Galway City since then except more car traffic. NUIG Campus has changed + we have some new suburbs like Doughiska/Roscam and the expansion of North Knocknacarra and IDA Parkmore. Have to agree no real vision or coherence to it all though The only real vision City Council have had on the transport front in those 20+ years, has been a bypass/distributor road. NTA are leading on the Bus Connects

03-05-2023 12:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120550046#Comment_120550046

NTA are leading on the Bus Connects

It really, REALLY shows. If GCC were the lead, it would be a farce of a project

Redo91 · 03-05-2023 5:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120547756#Comment_120547756

No idea. They had dug up around evergreen/Tigh Coili before that and seem to have moved on after leaving the surface in a bad way. There’s a big dip in the surface now that will just fill with water when it rains.

what_traffic · 04-05-2023 3:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120551099#Comment_120551099

Do hope there is a long term plan once these works are done to stop allowing those big heavy trucks use this street and have a small van delivery policy on the street and other lightweight vehicle delivery models. It is done elsewhere on the Continent.

05-05-2023 4:12pm

The safety issues on Clybaun Rd are about to come to a head with parents looking at staging a protest

https://connachttribune.ie/parents-consider-protest-action-over-dangerous-school-crossing/

This was the crossing where last year, even with a warden, a car was caught on film driving straight through the crossing while children were on it.

Its also where a school teacher was clipped by a car which failed to stop

Wompa1 · 05-05-2023 5:24pm

The worst council in the country, imo.

Homelander · 05-05-2023 7:55pm

Isn't the current CEO retiring soon? Might shake things up.

05-05-2023 8:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120560109#Comment_120560109

I wouldn't hold much hope of that, his second in command, Patricia Philbin, is taking over (interim). Honestly Galway needs someone like Robert Burns (Clare/DLR/Fingal) to come in and change the whole mindset in the organization. He's done amazing work in DLR & Fingal over the last few years

rustyfrog · 05-05-2023 9:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120560196#Comment_120560196

Why an interim CEO? Haven't they known that guy was due to retire for years? Did they even start the process of replacing him?

05-05-2023 9:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120560536#Comment_120560536

All great questions

zell12 · 05-05-2023 9:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120560536#Comment_120560536

"Brendan McGrath is due to retire this year. It’s understood his deputy CE, Patricia Philbin will take the role in an acting capacity until an interview process is completed."

sgthighway · 07-05-2023 8:37am

Decided to get bus to town yesterday. Bus that was due to arrive didn't and we had to wait another 30 min for next one. Then it started to rain but there is no bus shelter. When I get to town I buy a cheap top to replace the soaked wet one. We do our business throughout the day and go to get bus home but that doesn't turn up either. I will just drive the next time.

I cannot understand how they are talking of increasing the frequency of buses but they cannot fulfill the existing service. There seems to be no accountability to Bus Eireann for Ghost Buses.

LXFlyer · 07-05-2023 9:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120564696#Comment_120564696

Bus Éireann do get penalised by the NTA for every service not operated - their PSO payments are reduced.

ben.schlomo · 07-05-2023 12:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120564696#Comment_120564696

What bus was it?

rustyfrog · 07-05-2023 3:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120564763#Comment_120564763

Do they self-report or is this dependent on users complaining? I'd love to cross-check their declared no shows. City Direct too, frequent no shows.

07-05-2023 3:20pm

The antics of the city council in relation to bike lanes makes national news...... again 🤦‍♂️

https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0507/1381203-cycling-infrastructure-nta/

sgthighway · 07-05-2023 5:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120565224#Comment_120565224

404

07-05-2023 6:25pm

https://twitter.com/FHmediastuff/status/1655176955891798019?t=EmK2wOSGNRFCJZtM0ne5Kw&s=19

...

zell12 · 07-05-2023 6:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120566044#Comment_120566044

Have you seen the traffic on the routes it uses? It is probably the most delayed BÉ bus here

LXFlyer · 07-05-2023 7:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120565658#Comment_120565658

Every PSO departure is tracked on the AVLC control system, and they have to report the data on departures operating and punctuality along the route quarterly to the NTA.

You can read them all here - punctuality is down the page.

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/publications/bus-eireann-performance-reports-2020-2022/

City Direct is a commercial service and does not receive PSO money - no penalties for non-operation apply to them.

rustyfrog · 07-05-2023 7:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120566044#Comment_120566044

I hope the route numbering was a nerdy inside joke.

Getting around Galway

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