Proposal to extend pedestrianised zones in Galway city centre

On foot of a motion from Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF), seeking to make permanent the temporary nature of Cross Street’s closure to car traffic, a number of local representatives raised the prospect of further pedestrian zones in the city core.

Cllr Owen Hanley (Soc Dem) said there had long been reference made to the ‘public realm strategy’, “but by and large, only the Small Crane and Woodquay have been looked at for increased pedestrianisation”.

“There has been frustration with how [temporary pedestrianised zones] are not working for a number of residents.

“The Small Crane is not a public amenity area – it’s an outside dining area,” he said, adding that future and long-term plans should focus more on providing spaces for residents and not just business patrons.

Cllr John Connolly (FF) said he agreed with Cllr Hanley that a more long-term strategy was required.

“It is a bit meaningless doing this is an ad hoc manner . . . we should be getting more regular updates on how the public realm strategy is advancing,” said Cllr Connolly.

Cllr Cheevers, who was seeking to permanently designate Cross Street – from Supermac’s as far as the Dáil Bar – a pedestrian area, suggested that it should serve as a template of how to carry out these changes.

The method of trialling street closures on a temporary basis before making them permanent had proven successful on Cross Street, he said.

“Hopefully, in the future we will see more roads get full-time pedestrianised in the city,” said Cllr Cheevers.

Cllr Frank Fahy (FG) said while he didn’t oppose Cllr Cheevers’ motion, he had concern around public consent for such measures and proposed that such changes should first be considered by the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee on Transport, of which he is chairperson.

He said all businesses in the city needed to be considered when making such changes and not just those in hospitality.

“The inner part of our city is, I won’t say dying, but is struggling. A lot of people will tell you that they are going to Athlone or Limerick to shop because they don’t want to come into the heart of our city.

“It’s not all about wining and dining . . . there are other businesses too,” said Cllr Fahy.

The Mayor, Colette Connolly, said a more ‘holistic’ view of pedestrianisation needed to be carried forward as moves to close roads in other areas were considered.

“I am totally in favour of pedestrianising large parts of the city.

“We have seen issues in Raven Terrace and Woodquay . . . it should not just be about accommodating individual businesses for dining and drinking. We need to look at this in a more holistic way,” said Cllr Connolly.

Cllr Níall McNelis (Lab) said he supported the move to permanently close Cross Street to traffic outside designated hours, but said further plans were needed for areas such as Woodquay and Dominick Street.

“We already noted that pedestrianisation last year saved a lot of businesses in the city and it is also making Galway completely different to other areas,” he said, adding that increased pedestrianisation brought greater numbers into areas of the city that really needed it.

“It’s about getting footfall into a number of areas and making it safe.

“It gives a hook to get people off just the main thoroughfare and into other areas of the city,” he said.

Cllr Cheevers motion was put on hold, on foot of a commitment from City Council Chief Executive Brendan McGrath to bring before councillors a report looking at the overall impact of pedestrianisation in the city.