The pot-holed path, known locally as ‘The Line’, has been levelled and tarmaced in a 1.5km resurfacing project valued at €70,000 over the past 10 days.
“The purpose of the current works are to upgrade the surface to make it safer and more accessible for all,” said an Irish Rail spokeswoman. “Iarnród Éireann have no future plans after the resurfacing works are complete,” she added.
Terry O’Flaherty (Ind ), a city councillor for Galway City East, said she was “delighted” Irish Rail responded to her representations to upgrade The Line, and called on Irish Rail to upgrade the signs reminding cyclists to dismount.
“The new, flat surface is great, but I have had some feedback that the speed of cyclists is dangerous for pedestrians, especially as the path narrows at a few points,” she said. O’Flaherty wants new signage erected at the Renmore-end of The Line enforcing pedestrian priority. Gates forcing cyclists to dismount have been temporarily removed for resurfacing works.
The walkway, which has been used by local people for a century, cuts 20 minutes off the 45-minute walk into the city centre by residents and students from nearby ATU.
In 2007, Swiss teenager Manuela Riedo was murdered close to The Line, which is surrounded by waste ground. A campaign led by local councillors and students prompted Irish Rail to erect street lighting along the route.
“To be fair, they have been very good at maintaining them and changing the bulbs ever since,” said O’Flaherty.
