Failed Wilton Road plan criticised

Politicians need to show a little more backbone when it comes to making decisions for the greater good.

That’s according to the brother of a young woman who was killed while cycling in 2016, who has criticised councillors for voting down plans to install two cycling lanes and two bus lanes on Wilton Road.

Neil Fox, who lives in Cork, told the Cork Independent that although he was glad to see eight councillors vote for the project to go ahead, he was disappointed that the proposed plans were ultimately voted down by 16 votes to eight.

The decision was made at the most recent Cork City Council meeting following months of protests from residents on the Wilton Road, some of whom stood to lose considerable portions of their front gardens to the project.

“I’m not stupid, I knew what was going to happen given the opposition. Unfortunately politicians are going to go with the loudest voices in most cases,” Mr Fox told the Cork Independent.

Mr Fox’s sister Donna (30) was killed instantly when she was hit by a truck while cycling to work in Dublin in September 2016.

“Her death in such circumstances has been earth shattering, but to honour her and to try and change attitudes and make our roads safer I've found purpose and direction in campaigning on cycling issues,” said Mr Fox.

He added: “Donna was the most loving kind and supportive sister you could imagine, she was due to get married the following year. When you lose someone like that, you want no one else to go through the same thing.”

According to Mr Fox, the responsibility for instigating changes to Ireland’s current cycling and public transport infrastructures lies with the general public.

He said: “The issue is not with politicians, but with the general public, myself included. Going forward, we’re going to have to make difficult decisions to provide safer infrastructure and to change the country’s attitude towards cyclists and public transport.”