Fears 'child could be killed' if Galway road not upgraded after incident

One resident said they fear it is ‘only a matter of time’ before somebody is ‘either injured or killed’ after the incident involving an eight year old boy

Published 28th Aug 2026, 07:15 BST Campaigners want raised ramp at pedestrian crossing | Local One resident said they fear it is ‘only a matter of time’ before somebody is ‘either injured or killed’ after the incident involving an eight year old boy Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Fears that another pedestrian or cyclist could be seriously injured or killed have prompted calls for safety measures on the Gort Road in Loughrea .

Campaigners are particularly concerned about children and families crossing the busy 1km stretch to access the playgrounds, tennis courts and other lakeside amenities, as well as nearby Corry's Field, which is popular with walkers.

The concerns come after a Galway County Council traffic survey in June 2025 found that 74% of motorists recorded on the road were exceeding the 50km/h speed limit, with one vehicle recorded travelling at 119km/h.

This is despite three separate 50km/h speed signs on the approach from the Gort side, including a solar-activated sign, and three sets of pedestrian lights along the route.

Now, Bernie Rushe from the Waterfront, Loughrea, has launched the Gort Road R380 Safety Campaign, calling for traffic-calming measures and greater enforcement.

“There is no enforcement and no accountability,” she said. “There is every chance that someone will get knocked down and be seriously injured or killed.”

The campaign is calling on Galway County Council to install table-top ramps at all three pedestrian crossings, reduce the speed limit from the car park to West Bridge to 30km/h and install a permanent speed camera.

An online petition has attracted 99 signatures to date and includes accounts from people who say they have witnessed motorists speeding and breaking red lights at pedestrian crossings.

One Gort Road resident said they fear it is “only a matter of time” before somebody is seriously hurt.

“I live on the Gort Road and have witnessed cars speeding through the green pedestrian light,” they said.

“It is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident where a pedestrian is either injured or killed.

“I worry especially about children making that crossing as they cross over there regularly to walk on Corry's Field. The speed is a disgrace on that road.”

Another parent described a frightening incident in which they said their eight-year-old son narrowly avoided being struck by a vehicle.

“One day I was waiting at the pedestrian lights at Cois Carraig with my partner and my two children,” the parent said.

“The green man had come on, and my eight-year-old son started to cross when a motorist drove through the red light.

“I was very lucky to pull him back out of danger. He could have been killed.”

The road was the scene of tragedy in April 2014, when a cyclist in his sixties was fatally injured after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run close to pedestrian lights on the Gort Road.

Bernie also referred to a collision at the pedestrian lights at Cois Carraig, as well as other incidents and near misses reported along the route.

Read More Buyer wanted to reopen Galway pub after 12 years at €200,000 Truck driver blocks off Galway motorway after seeing car 'driving wrong way' Galway bishop asks priest to step down as gardai investigate historical abuse allegations For Bernie, the campaign is deeply personal; her brother John Rushe was 45 when he was killed in a road traffic collision involving his bicycle and a truck in London.

Having experienced the devastating impact of a road collision first-hand, Bernie said she does not want to see another family face similar heartbreak.

“It happened in a split second, and there are so many split seconds on this stretch of road.”

Central to the campaign is the call for table-top ramps at each of the three pedestrian crossings.

Bernie highlighted that the raised crossings would physically require motorists to reduce their speed as they approach.

“I drive around the country and in several towns, there are table-top ramps,” she said.

“They don't get the cars to slow down completely, but they have to slow down for the ramp. It is not a severe ramp.”

The campaign is also seeking a permanent speed camera on the Gort side of the town, as well as a reduction in the speed limit between the car park and West Bridge from 50km/h to 30km/h.

Bernie has contacted a number of political representatives about the concerns and is also seeking a meeting with Galway County Council.

She said the online petition is the first phase of a wider campaign, with plans to hold a public meeting to build further community support.

“The council has the data,” she said. “They know the danger. Now they need to act.”

The online petition is available to sign on openpetition.eu .