The An Bord Pleanála decision this week to effectively shelve the Galway Ring Road is a massive setback for Galway and the future development of the region, according to Fianna Fail senator Ollie Crowe.
He said that this road has been long promised for Galway with the backdrop that every other major Irish city and even smaller towns have developed state of the art road networks whilst Galway has not.
“As the country motors on, Galway has been left behind as the victim of “green tape”.
“The Galway Ring Road has long received the support of the business community, both local and national government, along with the overwhelming support of the people of Galway. There is widespread recognition that the project would have enormous benefits for the growing industrial development to the east of the city.
He said that in spite of all of the above, after many years of promises and multiple previous hearings by An Bord Pleanála, the people of Galway and the entire West of Ireland now have to suffer the consequences of planning permission being stripped.
“The growth of responsibility of independent state agencies has drained accountability from the democratic system. An Bord Pleanála, the OPR (Office of the Planning Regulator ) and new departmental strategies on environmental and planning regulation mark the removal of red tape and introduction of green tape.
“These agencies view projects through only one lens without taking into account the wider regional needs, the continued development of a strong local economy, and the impact estimated population growth will have on our already inadequate road network.
He said that Galway has been a victim of its own success as industrial growth has resulted in traffic congestion.
“The simple truth for industry is that government must invest, or investment will relocate elsewhere. I am aware of companies who are now actively choosing to locate outside of Galway as a consequence of what is going on. In other cities this was done without question.
“For example, Cork is about to undertake huge investment to build a motorway link between the South Ring Road and the Ringaskiddy pharmaceutical hub, In addition, Dunkettle interchange and the Ballyvourney/Macroom bypass are the largest capital transport projects in the state under construction.
“I have absolutely no problem promoting public transport and cycling infrastructure but why is Galway the only city to suffer the consequences when other cities continue their investments. The simple facts are that Galway city’s population will increase considerably over the coming decades and is estimated to be in excess of 120,000 by 2040. Our road network is currently incapable of handling the current level of traffic.
“The Green Party must now consider the question what it will be like when the population has growth of 50% or more, it will be completely inadequate and the point must also be made that a bus stuck in a traffic is no better than a car.
“Galway’s current poor road infrastructure is a disservice to the people of the region, a major threat to the regional economy and a considerable risk to the future development of the region.
“The ring road alone will not solve our traffic problems, but it is a key component of doing so. Those who oppose the ring road on ideological grounds fail to recognise that the ring road will enable much of what they wish to advance, by taking cars out of the city, there will be far more scope to promote bus lanes and cycle lanes. Only an approach which tackles our traffic woes using every possible tool will make a real impact,” he concluded.
