Millar's Lane Opening
Works have now been completed on Millar’s Lane Upgrade, which provides a pedestrian and cycle link between Rahoon Road, Western Distributor Road and Kingston Road, connecting the various residential areas and amenities in the locality. The recently completed Millars Lane upgrade will:
· Provide off-road walking and cycling routes for residents, and for children travelling to school;
· Enhance permeability between Rahoon Road, Manor Drive and the surrounding areas; and
· Create diverse and functional open spaces for walking, cycling and play.
The design recognises the ecological sensitivity of the route and provides for biodiversity – both flora and fauna. Areas of the parks along Millar’s Lane have been planted with grass and wildflowers, and will be managed for the benefit of pollinators, bats, and other species. The needs of users of the route are thus balanced with the support of biodiversity.
The completed scheme includes lighting along the route, and pedestrian crossings at Gort na Bró and the Rahoon Road to improve connectivity. Millar’s Lane links into the wider Galway City Cycle Network, supporting active travel beyond the Knocknacarra/ Rahoon area, and supports access to the Galway bus network.
The planting along Millar’s Lane aims to actively promote and encourage the success of bio-diverse species within the site and integrate as part of the complex and far wider environmental systems.
The design of the landscaping takes inspiration from the countryside laneways of Connemara, using the existing stone walls on the lane, native wildflower and grass species provide a sense of rurality in an urban setting. Tree planting has been selected with native stock, mirroring those species that are often seen protected by the walls in the Connemara landscape.
Some Photos below from the opening of Millar's Lane:
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare, with children from Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh and Knocknacarra NS (St John the Apostle), officially opening Millars Lane after a recent upgrade by Galway City Council. Also pictured at the opening are (L to R) Councillors Martina O’Connor, Níall McNelis, John Connolly, Senator Pauline O’Reilly, Councillors Niall Murphy, Clodagh Higgins, Donal Lyons, Frank Fahy, Alan Curran and Terry O’Flaherty.
Anna Joyce and her dog walking on Millars Lane, after the recent upgrade of the lane by Galway City Council.
Ruairí Carey cycling on Millars Lane, after the recent upgrade of the lane by Galway City Council.
Damien Kenny, Director, Kenny Civil & Plant Ltd., Eoin Greene, Technical Director, AECOM Design Consultants, Kieran Hanniffy, Project Manager, Electric Skyline, Joan Higgins, Administrative Officer, Galway City Council, Uinsinn Finn, Director of Services, Galway City Council, Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare, Micheál Cormican, Senior Executive Engineer, Galway City Council, John Rooney, National Transport Authority, Anuroop Chepuru, Resident Engineer, AECOM Design Consultants, Patricia Philbin, Chief Executive, Galway City Council.
Miller's Lane Upgrade
Project Update
The popular walking and cycling path at Miller’s Lane is being upgraded, as part of Galway City Council’s transport permeability projects. As part of the path upgrade, access may be restricted in phases along the route to facilitate these works. While it is the intention to maintain access along the route during the works, please be advised that local diversions will be in place and signed accordingly. This upgrade project is being funded by the National Transport Authority. During the initial phase of the upgrade works access will be closed onto the lane from Rahoon Road to the access link to Gort Na Bró (Bohemian Football Club Pitches). Works on site will commence on the week commencing 15th August with a 6 month delivery programme. Further updates as required and local letter drops will occur throughout the project.
The Miller’s Lane project entails upgrading of the existing pathway, to provide an urban permeability route in the Knocknacarra area, linking Rahoon Road and Kingston Road. The Lane is approximately 950m long, and runs by estates including Garraí de Brún, An Logán, The Orchard, Manor Close, Gort na Bró, Grangemore, Gort Gréine, Cruachan Park, and Ros Geal.
The ultimate aim of the project is to support permeability into adjacent estates, providing off-road walking and cycling routes for residents, and for children travelling to school. Miller’s Lane will link into the wider Galway City Cycle Network, supporting travel by bike beyond the Knocknacarra/ Rahoon area. Works on the Miller’s Lane project will also include lighting along the route, and a pedestrian crossing at Gort Na Bró to improve connectivity. Further updates on the project will be made available as the project progresses. See www.activetravelgalway.ie
Project Update July 2022
The Miller’s Lane upgrade entails upgrading of the existing pathway to provide an urban permeability route in the Knocknacarra area, linking Rahoon Road and Kingston Road.
The upgrading of the laneway is to support permeability into adjacent estates, providing off-road walking and cycling routes for residents. Miller’s Lane will link into the wider Galway City Cycle Network, supporting travel by bike beyond the Knocknacarra/ Rahoon area. Works on the Miller’s Lane project will also include lighting along the route, and a Toucan pedestrian crossing at Gort Na Bró to improve connectivity.
Following a non-statutory public consultation in Quarter 4 2021 the report details the feedback received and responses from the projects design team.
Next steps for the Project:
1. Consultation report will be made available to the public through our Active Travel page on the Galway City Council website on the 20/07/2022.
2. The construction tender period is now completed and funding approval has been received. Galway City Council have appointed the preferred bidder with construction works scheduled to commence in early August with a six month construction programme.
3. The feasibility for a pedestrian crossing is being currently considered in the vicinity of Miller’s Lane on the Rahoon Road and should this process be successful an additional crossing will be incorporated into the works.
Non Statutory Public Consultation Report July 2022:
Miller's Lane Non-Statutory Public Consultation Report.pdf
Brochure & Drawings (October 2021)
Galway City Council would like to provide an update on progress of Miller’s Lane upgrade, through a brochure and drawings available for download on this page.
The objectives of the Miller’s Lane Upgrade are to:
- Support permeability, by providing off-road walking and cycling routes for residents, and for children travelling to school;
- Enhance connections between Rahoon Road, Manor Drive and the surrounding areas;
- Create diverse and functional open spaces – with a balance of ‘passive’ and ‘active’ uses e.g. seating, walking, cycling and play.
The design recognises the ecological sensitivity of the route, and provides for biodiversity – both flora and fauna. Areas of the parks along Miller’s Lane will be managed for the benefit of pollinators, bats, and other species, balancing the needs of those using the route, while supporting biodiversity.
Works on the Miller’s Lane Upgrade will include lighting along the route, and a pedestrian crossing at Gort na Bró to improve connectivity. Miller’s Lane will link into the wider Galway City Cycle Network, supporting travel by bike beyond the Knocknacarra/ Rahoon area, and will also support access to the City bus network.
Next Steps
Galway City Council welcome your feedback on the proposed Miller’s Lane Upgrade by the 22nd October 2021.
On review of feedback received, and subject to the approval of the funding agency (the National Transport Authority), it is envisaged that the upgrade will be undertaken in Quarter 1 2022.
Feedback is welcome in writing:
Click for the Online Form (now closed)
By email to Activetravel@galwaycity.ie
By post to Transport Department, Galway City Council, College Road, Galway
Brochure
Download the Miller's Lane Upgrade brochure here
Drawings
Miller's Lane Upgrade - General Arrangement
Miller's Lane Upgrade - Draft Landscape Drawings
Miller's Lane Upgrade - Permeability Options