Work on river walk is halted

In a breakthrough in the row over a river walk in Galway, the corporation has agreed to prepare a report clarifying issues raised…

In a breakthrough in the row over a river walk in Galway, the corporation has agreed to prepare a report clarifying issues raised by environmentalists.

Meanwhile, Birdwatch Ireland and the Galway Bat Group have voiced their opposition to the landscaping, which An Taisce has already described as "butchery". A Circuit Court injunction preventing work from continuing on the walkway is already in place until tomorrow.

Members of the Woodquay Residents and District Association secured the injunction, after expressing opposition to the project. The residents are worried about the effect the landscaping will have on the environment.

The corporation hosted a public meeting to hear concerns in the City Hall last week. Mr Joe Gavin, the city manager, said there was a lot of "misinformation" about the project, which he said was designed to enhance the waterway as part of an overall plan to improve the city.

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Mr Jim Coady, the architect of the scheme, told the public meeting that the aim was to develop the city's waterways as a major tourist attraction. A consultant ecologist, Dr Cillian Roden, expressed his concern about the effect on wildlife and said an environmental impact assessment should be carried out.