Half a bypass is not good enough for Galway and it is time for our local politicians and councillors to take a long hard look at the future of this city, according to Paul Shelly, president of Galway Chamber.
The Galway Chamber of Commerce was reacting to this week’s decision by ABP to grant permission to part of the Galway City Outer Bypass but turn down the section of it that goes through Tonabrocky and connects onto the R336 road.
“Divisive politics and divisive departmental issues have led to this unprecedented ruling on the Galway City Outer Bypass,” said Mr Shelly. “The bypass, in its entirety, is essential for the economic growth and the development of tourism in south Connemara and to take the non-city centre traffic out of the equation so that bus lanes, cycle paths, and other traffic calming measures can be introduced.”
Chamber CEO Michael Coyle has called on Minister for the Environment John Gormley to intervene and designate the bypass as ‘critical infrastructure’.
“It is a bizarre situation that An Bord Pleanála accepts the need for this bypass, but, despite exhaustive public consultations and over two years of deliberations, has reservations about the route through a particular area and the impact on the environment therein,” he said. “The need for the bypass is established, the need for the new bridge over the Corrib is established. We now call on Minister Gormley to get involved.”
Mr Coyle said the project must be sent back to An Bord Pleanála and any possible alternative for the ‘annulled piece’ must be examined to get it moving.
He is also calling on Galway West’s five TDs and Galway city’s 15 councillors to “put their support behind this crucial piece of infrastructure in the interests of the city’s future development”.
