Galway motorists are told: 'Slow is best back The West'!

Message for motorists: Slow is best down the West | Claddagh NS

placeholder image — Message for motorists: Slow is best down the West | Claddagh NS

Residents, businesses and community partners on Munster Avenue and Fr Griffin Place in The West area of Galway are calling for greater awareness and respect from drivers following concerns about vehicles speeding through these residential streets.

In a joint statement, the stakeholders reminded motorists that Munster Avenue and Fr Griffin Place are “lived-in neighbourhoods, not shortcuts”.

It comes as the summer season is underway, and the area is once again taking advantage of its long-standing evening pedestrian-friendly approach, with streets in the wider Westend pedestrianised from 6pm. This initiative – ongoing since 2019 – has been welcomed by most residents and businesses.

Pictured are Ruairi Lenham (Galway City Council), Lyndsey O'Connell , Anne Burke (Munster Ave/Fr Griffin Place Residents Association), Karen Healy (Galway's Westend Traders Association), and Valerie Egan (Munster Ave/Fr Griffin Place Residents' Association) with primary school children from Claddagh National School who created the artwork for this call-to-action campaign. | LRPR

“The intention of the evening pedestrian-friendly approach is simple. It supports local businesses by keeping the area visible and accessible during the summer months. It encourages a more social and people-first use of public space, particularly around outdoor dining and early evening cultural activity before 9pm.

“It also promotes walking and cycling as the natural and preferred way to experience the Westend, while strengthening overall safety through increased footfall and natural community presence,” said a spoksperson for Galway Westend Traders.

“However, residents are increasingly concerned that Munster Avenue and Fr Griffin Place residential streets within this wider area are being used by some drivers as a shortcut, with instances of speeding reported. Community members are reminding motorists that this is a neighbourhood where people live, children walk to school and play, and families use the street daily,” they said.

A joint initiative has been developed between residents, businesses, supported by Galway City Council and An Garda Síochána to address the issue and reinforce a shared message of safety and respect.

As part of this, pupils from Claddagh National School have designed posters aimed at encouraging drivers to slow down and be mindful of the community they are passing through.

“The message from the community is clear. Slow down, respect the street, and recognise that Munster Avenue and Fr Griffin Place are parts of a living neighbourhood where safety and community come first,” a spokesperson added.