Sir, – Your recent article “Galway: Where the car is still king and ‘glaciers move faster than the council’” (Harry McGee, Environment, August 13th) ended with a note of optimism from Cllr Donal Lyons that “it is possible that a two-way bike lane could be up and running within two or three years as part of the development of the new sea defences”.
It is important that nobody believes that this is a real solution. The coastal defences project timeline is available at floodinfo.ie and shows clearly that the project, if delivered on time (and remember this is Galway City Council we are talking about) will be ready in 2029. Not two or three years.
Furthermore, the coastal defences project does not currently contain any brief for cycle lanes. There is no intention to include cycle lanes in this project.
However, there is some real optimism available because plans as currently laid out would not prevent a proper cycle lane going in now – another argument used by those who appear determined to frustrate active travel at every turn.
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We could have a cycle lane for leisure, tourism and commuting very easily and quickly, given political will and leadership.
Councillors are using these arguments to avoid taking real action.
Meanwhile all of us who live in Galway city suffer the consequences. – Yours, etc,
Dr RM HILLIARD,
Claddagh,
Galway.
