Campaigners welcome the removal of kissing gate at Terryland Forest Park

By Michelle Geraghty

Veteran environmental and community campaigner welcomed the commencement of work to remove the kissing gate at the entrance to Terryland Forest Park.

“It is great news that at long last the first kissing gate in Galway city is being removed,” said Brendan Smith, chairperson of the Tuatha volunteers of Terryland Forest Park.

The removal of the gate is the first of three which to be removed or replaced as part of a pilot scheme announced by Galway City Council in October last year.

The works on the gate, which is adjacent to the Headford Road-Sean Mulvoy Road junction, commenced on Monday in conjunction with the installation of the first pedestrian crossing on the Liosbaun Road.

“We have also been informed by city officials that a pedestrian crossing will be constructed on the Sandy Road,” said Mr Smith. 

Accessibility 

While kissing gates are designed to block larger vehicles from accessing parks, amenities and laneways, they are seen by many locals and activists as a barrier to accessibility. 

“I’m delighted to see work commencing on the removal of this kissing gate,” said Cllr Alan Curran of the Social Democrats.

“These gates are a barrier to accessibility, so this marks a step in the right direction for improved access for all,” he added.

The news comes as the National Transport Authority (NTA) released the findings of its first-ever survey of walking, wheeling & cycling in Galway.

“Today’s NTA report shows there’s a growing demand for active travel, with over half of respondents expressing their desire to walk and wheel more and 42% wanting to cycle more,” said Cllr Curran. 

“Removing kissing gates across the city is one of many actions that will help meet this demand by reducing obstacles for cyclists and buggies and for wheelchair users too.”

Impressive greenway

According to Mr Smith, the completion of the interconnected series of active travel routes, coupled with new enhancements involving Council park staff and Tuatha volunteers, will lead to the creation of an “impressive greenway”.

“The greenway will run along a large section of the woods and riverbanks of Terryland Forest Park stretching from the Riverside neighbourhood to Sean Mulvoy Road.

“Visitors and the residents of Galway city will greatly benefit from being immersed in a unique urban natural landscape rich in wildlife,” he added. 

Next year will mark twenty-five years of Terryland Forest Park, known as the ‘Lungs of the City’. 

The park was the largest urban neighbourhood forest project in the history of the Irish state when it commenced in January 2000 and has been tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis ever since.