A petition to demand light rail for Galway city, and to prove Transport Minister Shane Ross wrong in his contention that there is no demand for such a system, will begin taking signatures this weekend.
The petition, which is being organised by Independent Galway West TD Catherine Connolly, will start on Saturday on Shop Street, from 11am to 4pm, and will continue for the next eight weeks. She is appealing to the public to support the campaign by signing the petition or by coming on board as volunteers to collect the signatures.
“Light rail is an essential part of the solution to Galway’s traffic congestion problems, along with park and ride, and an integrated public traffic system,” said Dep Connolly. “The campaign is also in response to Minister Ross’s assertion that there is no demand for such a system after I raised this matter recently in the Dáil. The purpose of the campaign is to clearly show demand exists.”
Dep Connolly said light rail was “the most sustainable solution” given the State’s legal obligations under climate change legislation. She also pointed out that Galway is one of five cities specifically identified under the National Development Plan Ireland 2040 as destined for significant population increase in the coming years. “In this context,” she said, “it makes sense to plan for the roll-out of a light rail system to meet the growing needs of an expanding city in a sustainable way.”
Those interested in volunteering or helping with the petition can contact Dep Connolly’s office on Flood Street.
