Woman claims Active Travel project in Ballybane is a ‘total shambles’
A local woman in a wheelchair has lashed the controversial Ballybane and Castlepark Active Travel scheme, which she claimed has disimproved accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Jenny O’Sullivan, from Sruthán Mhuirlinne in Ballybane, said she was “frustrated” with the ongoing scheme to narrow the roadway, upgrade footpaths and install cycle lanes.
“It’s a total shambles — I have nothing good to say about it,” the 54-year-old mother of two told the Galway City Tribune.
Ms O’Sullivan has multiple sclerosis (MS) and has used a wheelchair for over a decade.
She loves getting the bus to Dunnes Stores and regularly attends weekly coffee mornings and games events in the local Community Resource Centre.
But construction work on the Active Travel scheme — a joint project by Galway City Council and the National Transport Authority — has made her anxious about venturing out because it’s difficult to navigate.
“They say they’re making it easier but they’re not, they’re making it worse. It 100% won’t be an improvement,” she said.
“I’m a very social person and go out and about when I can but I do not look forward to going out now because I’m worried where I’m going to get off the bus,” she added.
Councillor Alan Cheevers (FF) highlighted her concerns at a recent City East Committee meeting where several elected members criticised the project. He said the scheme was intended to improve accessibility but that was not the experience of people on the ground.
Speaking to this newspaper, Ms O’Sullivan said a kerb blocked her from getting off the bicycle lane at Ballybane community garden, and a temporary bus stop was on a slope which made it unsafe to board the bus.
Different footpath heights, lips on footpaths, and uneven tarmac also made it difficult to navigate her wheelchair.
“I go to the bus stop at Árd Álainn and have to go through the bicycle lane to get onto the bus. If there’s a bicycle coming nobody can cross, or you’ll get knocked down by a bike,” she said, criticising the design where buses can no longer pull in at stops.
And she said she was relying on the politeness of drivers to cross the road safely.
“It’s very dangerous. Not just for me, a wheelchair user, it’s dangerous for people with buggies and mobility issues,” she said.
Ms O’Sullivan said the construction phase had been difficult, but she did not believe the changes would bring permanent improvements once it was completed later this year.
Ms O’Sullivan said she believed people like her should have been consulted at design stage.
“They should be ashamed of what they are leaving us, the way the roads and paths are. They are not making it any easier for anybody. Yes, I see some improvements but not a lot. There’s a lot to be giving out about. I’m frustrated.
“I’d like them to talk to people who need accessibility. Talk to somebody in a wheelchair before they start the work and designing it.
“Everybody knows me around here. They say to me, ‘how in the hell do you manage it?’ It’s frustrating but I get on with it. They were trying to make it easier for everybody. They haven’t. They’ve made it worse. Access for All? There is no access for all, I’m sorry,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
The Council and NTA have insisted the scheme was designed to national standards.
Council officials have agreed to a walkabout along Ballybane and Castlepark Roads with councillors to see and hear their concerns.
Pictured: Jenny O’Sullivan on the footpath beside the cycle lane on Ballybane Road.