Galway coastal communities announce further protests after safety measures for Connemara road stall
Groups in Barna, Furbo, Spiddal and Inverin will be staging walking protests from 8am on Monday, May 12 as part of a further stand against a lack of safety measures on the R336, which stretches from Leenaun to Galway city.
An initial round of coordinated protests took place in each of the villages on April 2, with over 800 in attendance across the four areas to draw attention to the lack of crucial infrastructure on the roads, which the group says is putting lives at risk every day.
The communities are renewing calls for reduced speed limits and traffic calming, continuous widened footpaths and cycle lanes, as well as new pedestrian crossings and school safety zones to allow the safe passage of all locals when crossing the roads, particularly outside of schools.
The group says that the initial protests have proved successful in garnering support from local councillors and TDs, with the follow-up demonstration serving to support the local representatives in prioritising road safety on the R336 and highlight the urgent need for upgraded safety measures.
Data gathered by the group, in collaboration with Galway County Council, demonstrates the need for the infrastructure. Across 317 days, 1.6 million cars headed west through Furbo, of which 81% exceeded the 50kmh speed limit in the village. Similar figures showed that 51% exceeded the limit when heading towards Galway city.
Joyce Parkes, who is one of the main organisers of the protests, says that funding for an improved pedestrian crossing in Furbo was granted via the Safe Routes to School Scheme in 2022, yet the community is still yet to see any further progress on the ground.
As a result, she believes the protests are necessary to communicate the strength of feeling to Galway County Council and ensure that each coastal community has their voice heard.
'The purpose of walking is to see whether the process can happen in less than two years, it just seems like a very long-winded path. They haven't even confirmed with us if the pedestrian crossing is on the cards, it's been suggested but we haven't got a commitment.
'We haven't progressed a huge amount since the last protest. We're grateful for the councillors and TDs for meeting with us and supporting the cause, but this is a reminder that we're here and we're going to demonstrate our feelings about the safety of the road and the importance of better footpaths and lights.'
Despite the lack of progress, Ms Parkes says the overall feeling is optimistic, owing to the power of community that has been on display in pursuit of change on the road that stretches across the Gaeltacht villages.
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'I think we're remaining optimistic, and I think it's going to happen. I'm hopeful that this protest will encourage the process along the road and make sure we're not forgotten. It's also raising awareness in the village and also highlighting that it's not just about the school – it's about the whole village.
'We were all really positive after the last protest, we didn't come away from it thinking it was a waste of time, we saw how much people were listening to us. We know it's been spoken about an awful lot at council meetings on the back of the last protest, so I think we're not doing it out of a frustration – we're saying it more as a 'come on'.
'We're not trying to annoy anyone or get in anyone's way; we're just trying to raise awareness for people driving through Furbo to slow down. If one car slows down on the back of the protests, even if we just get that, it's great.
'There's nothing negative about people walking and showing the strength of their feeling – nothing but good can come from the demonstration.'
The Irish Independent has contacted Galway County Council for comment.
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