New Waterford City cycling route will not be used, say councillors

Waterford City councillors have raised concerns about a new active travel project that will link the Inner Ring Road to the Folly.

At this month’s Metropolitan District Meeting, councillors said they didn’t think cyclists would use the new route.

Cllr Mary Roche said it wasn’t even worth signposting.

“There is nobody going to cycle over to the inner ring road. They will all come down through Ballytruckle and down through St John's Park. I don’t think I’d even bother putting up signage. I think it would be a waste of money," said Cllr Roche.

Cllr Adam Wyse said he agreed with Cllr Roche and added that people will want to take the shortest route, “as the crow flies.” 

He said the proposed route would be 4.5km, whereas the current route is just two.

Cllr Wyse asked the council to give the plan “some serious thought.”  

“I just don’t see people ever using that scheme; I don’t see people going out of their way to use that. I think they will cycle from St John’s Park into the city centre through the roundabout at the Sacred Heart Church, into the town,” said Cllr Wyse.

Senior Engineer Michael Murphy said that currently, people are cycling along the St John’s River Walk.

He told elected members he has walked that route and that with the number of walkers, especially with dogs, cyclists needed a specialized route.

“I walked it recently, and you see a lot of walkers, particularly people walking dogs. Dogs off-leash, and cyclists don’t mix very well.

“There are a lot of people walking on it, and I’m not sure if it is suitable for cyclists. 

"Cyclists can use it if they so wish, but rather than directing people that way, we are going to direct down the inner ring road and down the Cork Road,” said Mr Murphy.   

Councillor Donal Barry said he didn’t think people would, “buy into that” if there was a direct route.

Mr Murphy said he would do a workshop with councillors so that they could understand the plan.

And he said that the plan offered a choice for cyclists.

“There is nothing saying people can't cycle down John's River Walk, it's just that I don’t want to direct someone down there who is in a hurry to get to work if you have people walking.

“Cyclists are fully entitled to use it, and I met several on the day, but in regards to putting in a cycle route and telling people this is the way you should go. I don’t believe that is the way you should tell people to go.

“You should tell them to use the ring road and the Cork Road where there will be just cyclists, no pedestrians and no vehicles,” said Mr Murphy.