TII highlighting that the GCRR is still many, many years away., They highlight, quite rightly, that while judicial reviews are an issue, the biggest problem with them is the lack of resources in the courts/planning bodies etc to get through the JR's in an efficient manner.
I've said it many times before and I'll keep saying it, JR's & appeals are not a problem if bodies are staffed appropriately. The only reason a JR and an appeal can not be done and dusted within a few months is staffing.
In his opening statement Peter Walsh said that any progress on the road awaits the outcome of three separate judicial reviews.
“In TII’s experience, judicial reviews cause very lengthy delays to project delivery. Accordingly, it seems likely, at this stage, that delivery of the Ring Road will be significantly delayed.”
Peter Walsh said in his statement to the Joint Committee that the planning process is currently “highly complex and time-consuming”, with delays of “years, not months” when judicial reviews are sought of approved projects.
Peter Walsh added in his statement that TII does not object to “public scrutiny or judicial supervision”, but that bodies associated with granting approval need resources to function within reasonable periods of time.
“TII also suggests that the State ensures adequate levels of judicial resourcing so that challenges to vital public infrastructure can be determined in months rather than years.”
Does anyone know what the hold up is on the greenway between Oughterard and Clifden? I thought this part of scheme had planning approval. I know there are two small sections completed but that was years ago now.
There was a public consultation that closed a few weeks back
But is that not the other part of the route? I'm talking about the one the goes from Clifden - Oughterard rather than the one the goes to Galway itself.
My apologies, I misread.
The section from Oughterard to Clifden got funding for various sections a while back, details in the article below. It will still be years before the full route will be done
Is that picture really typical of what a completed section looks like? Seems far too narrow for a safe two way cycle track.
It's a stock photo.
All the more reason for cyclists to get the hell out of the way then. But thanks for your consideration for us motorists and how delayed some of us are!
One of the local councillors has reported this to the Gardai who are investigating
Pollution levels in the city from cars are above recommended WHO levels for nitrous oxide and particulate matter
See if you can put two and two together, and work out whether you're better off having more cyclists or more motorists on the road, in terms of traffic jams. I'm sure you'll work it out. If you're stuck, here's a hint: it's the ones driving around with an empty couch and empty armchair that are holding you up.
Exactly. You'd think the Sunday cruise cyclists would be more considerate knowing how jammed the roads are and pull over out of the way. You don't solve traffic delays by contributing to it by riding four abreast.
You’d think that the large amounts of people driving single occupancy car’s for short journeys that are easily walked or cycled would be more considerate, and make better choices.
You must be joking. Have you never seen those videos of what happens cyclists if they fall under the wheels of a lorry or bus? I know we all die some day, but I'd like to avoid going out that way. I'll stick to the car, thanks, and don't blame others for doing the same. No matter how long the journey.
Far more people are killed and injured in cars than on bikes. The health benefits of cycling vastly outweigh the risk of injury.
Amazing stats, I say similar figures occur on the busy arterial roads into the City but is it been measured?
I doubt it. The one in the square is only there a short while. On the plus side these monitors are being rolled out across the country as there's not a lot of data right now. With the smoky coal ban coming in September they'll want data to be able to show before / after impacts.
Does anyone know of a midweek bus service later than 6pm from Galway to Loughrea?
That town seems very badly serviced by public transport.
Check www.a-b.ie for all licensed options
A long time since I did it but every non-direct Citylink (and Gobus?) surely?
GoBus are all direct.
All companies cut timetable with Covid. Bus Eireann cut the Galway to Dublin totally.
Ah ok so that is the main reason for them? Will be interesting to see the effect of the bus gates when they are installed on College Road / Salmon Weir Bridge as well in time.
I have complained to City Council about this, but want to see if others have experienced this problem:
Coming down Bothar na dTreabh from Tuam Road and wishing to turn right to Headford Road. The lights refuse to give a right-turn arrow for several cycles - I've counted five cycles of the lights before getting a green light. Meantime motorists ahead of me are either crashing the red light or veering across the lanes to turn into Liosban and out again. I've only used the junction at the weekend, so maybe its a weekend thing? Seems to me like its only a matter of time before a serious accident...
Yep we were there Sunday afternoon, and usually do the same journey every cupla weekends. It's always a lottery as to when the right arrow will go. It seems like it's on every second go after the straight on one's have had their go. Saw 3 cars break the straight on red Sunday while we waited.
The main works for the new Salmon Weir bridge are kicking off. Expected to open Q1 2023.
As for the Wolfe Tone bridge, the planning application is about to be submitted.
https://connachttribune.ie/u-turn-on-salthill-cycleway-has-cost-e200000/
"Almost €200,000 was spent developing plans for a temporary cycleway in Salthill, which was aborted after a U-turn by city councillors.
Galway City Council had purchased modular bus stops and planters to be used as cycle lane separators before the controversial project was voted down.
These materials were “procured and delivered, in anticipation of the project being on the ground in March 2022”.
The local authority will now seek approval from the National Transport Authority to use the material in other parts of the city."
Hopefully the materials will be able to be reused, what a shambles!
The new addition of another walkway to the southern side of the Wolfe Tone bridge is moving a step closer. It'll be virtually identical to the existing walkway on the northern side
You can review the planning documents at the link below
https://www.galwaycity.ie/gccpart8/#/?cd=%2FWolfe%20Tone%20Pedestrian%20Bridge%20II
But how many more people are in cars. Have been increasingly aware of cyclists since the 1.5 meter rule came in so I tend to take note of cyclists more and more but they are a rarity on some roads.
Would love to cycle more myself but it just feels hostile on our roads. Something that is reflected in stats - Number of cycling fatalities rose on average by 8% a year in 2010-2018
What is the point of this?
Answered in the links
From the article
The Part 8 Planning Report for this project said that it is necessary to mitigate the current risk to pedestrians at the Wolfe Tone Bridge, where it is not possible to build a dedicated pedestrian bridge.
From the Part 8 report
The southern footway is the desire line between two areas where large crowds congregate; Fishmarket Square (Spanish Arch) to Middle Bank/Claddagh. The current width of this footway is deficient and is a safety concern, marginalising pedestrians.
The current scenario causes conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists/motorists.
The main objectives of the proposed pedestrian walkway on the southern side of the Wolfe Tone Bridge are:
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