AN ACTIVE travel scheme in Galway previously labelled “atrocious” and “an absolute disaster” is to be completed ahead of scheduled.
Works on the Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme will be finished earlier than expected.
At a behind closed doors briefing, members of the Galway City Council executive and Elected Members from the city’s East Ward have discussed the Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme, as the project enters its final stages.
In December, Cllr Noel Thomas (IND) said the roadworks on the Ballybane Road were “an absolute disaster” and remarked, “It’s madness what they are doing”.
Castepark and Ballybane’s safety situation was labelled as “atrocious” by Cllr Eddie Hoare (FG) with Cllr Shane Forde labelling it “the greatest nightmare since we have been elected.”
When works began in early 2025, it had been anticipated that the project would be finished in the third quarter of 2026, but Galway City Council now anticipates that works will be substantially completed within the second quarter of this year.
Officials including Chief Executive Leonard Cleary and Director of Services Derek Pender updated councillors on the progress of the scheme in a meeting held two weeks ago. Elected Members brought forward concerns of the community in relation to the road works, and all parties agreed to focus on communications to the local community and commuters over the closing stages of the project that includes road resurfacing over the full width of the Ballybane Road and the Castlepark Road.
This scheme will provide a safe and attractive cycle route along the Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road, with pedestrian facilities also being constructed. Significant works have been completed since construction began early last year, with new cycle lanes and footpaths now almost complete along both sides of both Castlepark and Ballybane Roads. Safety enhancement works have also been completed at junctions along both roads and landscaping works are underway.
When the overall project is finished, a total of 15 new bus shelters will be installed, an increase on two in the total number of shelters and there will be additional crossings for walkers, wheelers and cyclists throughout the 3km length of the project. All new infrastructure will be fully accessible for all road users, including those using wheelchairs and buggies.
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, welcomed the opportunity to hear the views of, and to give an update to, local elected representatives. “The Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme is an important project for Galway. It represents a significant addition to the city’s growing active travel network. As this project is completed, and as we progress development on future schemes along Monivea Road and Dublin Road, road users in this area will enjoy the many benefits of active and sustainable transport. I welcome the continued dialogue on this project, and look forward to the Council and Elected Members working together to enhance the lives of all of those living, studying and working in this area”.
The Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme is being delivered by the Active Travel Department of Galway City Council. It is co-funded by the National Transport Authority and the government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. Construction is taking place along the length of Ballybane Road, between Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the Monivea Road, and the entirety of Castlepark Road between Ballybane Road and Monivea Road. This area includes ATU and a host of other commercial, industrial and community facilities. The scheme also serves a large community of residents living in the vicinity of both roads.
The new footpaths and cycle lanes will, in the future, connect with the BusConnects Galway: Dublin Road project, a planned continuous corridor of high-quality public transport, pedestrian and cycling facilities running along the length of the R338 Dublin Road. It will also connect directly onto the new proposed cycle route along Monivea Road East, which will be brought forward for planning later this year.
Each of these projects are part of Galway City’s wider and growing network of active travel and cycling infrastructure. The development of this network is in line with the strategic aims of the Galway Transport Strategy, which seeks to promote and encourage sustainable transport, and to make it convenient and attractive to walk, cycle or use public transport.
Further updates on the Ballybane Road and Castlepark Road Cycle Network Scheme are available on www.GalwayCity.ie. Further updates will be posted on the website, and on Galway City Council’s social media channels over the coming months.
