Day trippers’ cars cause chaos close to beaches
Social media posts of ‘hidden’ Conamara beaches has resulted in people flocking to the region during sunny weather – creating traffic congestion and parking problems.
Locals say visitors are always welcome to Conamara’s beaches, but they have urged people to park responsibly. They also want Galway County Council to prepare for the surge in visitors to beaches in advance of next summer.
Kylemore resident Patricia Keane said she no longer goes to her local beaches at Lettergesh, Glassilaun, and White Strand in Renvyle, because there’s nowhere to park when it’s sunny.
Ms Keane, a member of the campaign for a new ambulance base for Conamara, understands the conflict created between locals and visitors due to lack of infrastructure.
She said some people are “incredibly selfish” parking cars in a way that hinders larger vehicles such as ambulances from passing or blocking driveways.
“If there was an accident on the beach, there’s no way an ambulance could access. What happens if a driveway is blocked and the resident has a stroke, goes into labour, or just wants to get out to buy a pint of milk? I know this is a huge problem in Ballyconneely and Roundstone,” she said.
Ms Keane said providing a park and ride service to and from beaches might help, although she was not convinced.
“I can see a lot of problems with park and ride, but maybe it’s worth looking at – they have to do something,” she said.
Caption: The road to this beach in Roundstone is impassible with cars parked on both sides of the road.
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