Active Travel schemes continue to be contested topics at Waterford Council meetings, as the Active Travel work looks to prioritise vulnerable road users by creating cycle lanes and narrowing junctions, while residents and Councillors feel as though their concerns and opinions are going unheeded.
Speaking at the December meeting for Waterford’s Metropolitan area, Councillor Seamus Ryan, who is also the current Mayor for Waterford City and County, called an Active Travel proposal “Unsafe for cyclists, unsafe for motorists and it is going to be unsafe for pedestrians.”
Cllr. Ryan was referring to an Active Travel plan to create cycle lanes from the Folly to the Kilbarry roundabout.
“What I can’t understand is why would we have cycle lanes, and I’m all for the promotion of cycling—great, but why would we have cycle lanes on the wrong side of the road? That to me just does not make any traffic sense.
“I don’t know what the reason is for it. The bike stand is on one side of the road but the cyclists are being asked to take their bikes and walk across the road rather than having it all on the one side, coming from the roundabout at the RSC right up to the top of the Folly.”
Concerns were also raised that the Council did not listen to the outcome of the public consultation meeting. This echoes other reports in recent weeks, as the Active Travel one way system in Alphonsus Road was classified as a success despite sustained opposition from concerned residents.
“That to me was a disastrous proposal, which was echoed by the residents living along that area there,” said Cllr. Ryan.
“At the public meeting that was held in St Johns Pastoral centre, which I attended along with some of the other members here,” said Cllr. Ryan, “the residents that attended that let their feelings be known in no uncertain terms. They were very, very unhappy with it. Residents in my own estate, residents in Ursuline Court, residents in Pearse Park.
In closing remarks, Cllr. Ryan renewed his call for a complete overhaul of the proposal. “so once again, I did ask at that public meeting and I am asking again here today, for a complete withdrawal of that scheme and a rethink.
“Come back to the Council with a proper plan, a plan that doesn’t put the cyclists going on the wrong side of the road which is effectively what is being proposed here.
In response, Senior Architect for Active Travel, Michael Murphy, said his team have given a commitment to look into the issue.
AARON KENT
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
