Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Mayor of Galway City Eddie Hoare have formally opened three new active transport initiatives in Co Galway.
The projects, including an improved school street at Scoil Iognáid in Raleigh Row; the Eglinton Canal active travel scheme and the new Wolfe Tone Pedestrian Bridge, were launched this afternoon with attendees including Mr Ryan, Mr Hoare and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton.
Mr Ryan said the projects are essential to ensure the city is better equipped to provide alternatives to cars, with improved walking and cycling facilities.
Galway City Council (GCC) described a school street as "a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times".
GCC said this project was opened on an initial pilot basis in November 2020.
It said that a report into the pilot programme found that car use reduced by 14% while the number of children walking to school increased by 11%, cycling was up 7% and scooting rose 3%.
GCC said that based on this study it "further supported the school street" with additional works at Scoil Iognáid, along Raleigh Row and in adjoining areas including widened pedestrian footways, tightened junctions, updated crossings, new road markings, signage and pencil bollards.
Among the new projects is a new cantilever walkway on the side of the Wolfe Tone Bridge, which will assist the flow of pedestrians going to and from the city centre.
GCC said the new walkway "provides a safe, segregated way to cross the Wolfe Tone Bridge for local residents and visitors, giving people a great view of Claddagh Quay and historic Spanish Arch".
The project was funded by the National Transport Authority, it said.
The council said the Eglinton Canal active travel scheme involved an upgrade "of 880m of paths to facilitate safe cycling, walking, and wheeling in a busy area of Galway's westend".
"The works include resurfacing the route, and the construction of new zebra crossing points and traffic calming measures including build-outs and raised platforms," it added.
The three projects were delivered by Galway City Council in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and Fáilte Ireland.
Minister Ryan said the initiatives will make Co Galway "even more attractive as a place to live in, to go to school in and to visit".
"All of the best cities in the world are recognising that our urban spaces are better when they are reclaimed for people, with more space for walking, cycling and wheeling and at the same time reducing congestion and pollution," he said.
He added that these projects will "help encourage residents and visitors to see walking, cycling or wheeling as a viable and more attractive transport option, making Galway a safer, cleaner city and decreasing its carbon emissions".
Chief Executive of Galway City Council Leonard Cleary said the schemes are a "testament to Galway City Council's commitment to promote and encourage sustainable transport".
Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, said the projects "showcase the positive impact that continued investment in active travel infrastructure is having on communities".
