People Before Profit Galway City Central candidate Adrian Curran has responded to a promise by Fianna Fáil’s city candidates that the party will invest 70 million euro in Galway’s road network, arguing that the government’s own prioritisation of private cars above public transport has directly contributed to the poor state of our roads.
Adrian Curran said ‘Galway’s road network certainly needs crucial maintenance, particularly given the frankly dangerous state of many of our roads. However, the call by Fianna Fáil councillors for more road investment ignores how the government’s own choices, such as its prioritisation of the road haulage sector above alternatives such as expanding our rail network to move inland freight currently carried by road onto rail, have led to their deterioration – while also being disastrous for climate.
Recent British studies have shown that each tonne of freight transported by rail reduces carbon emissions by 76% compared to Heavy Goods Vehicles, and that a standard 44 tonne HGV causes 136,000 times more damage to road infrastructure than the average car.’‘ People Before Profit’s alternative, as outlined in our comprehensive transport plan, is to prioritise free, green and frequent public transport connecting our city with surrounding areas and other urban hubs. We will prioritise measures such as the Western Rail Corridor, which is nowhere on Fianna Fáil’s agenda, and which are crucial to alleviating stress on our road network.’
Galway City East candidate Denman Rooke said Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green councillors need to explain why public transport in Galway City East has gone consistently backwards under their Government’s watch.
“Notably, the move to alter the bus route through Mervue against the wishes of the local community, removing the 401 from entering Mervue and instead sending the 405 through narrow streets, demonstrates how public transport has withered under our Green Party Minister for Transport.
“Amidst the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises, we need to meaningfully promote free, frequent and green public transport that serves communities first and prioritises the needs of the elderly, mothers with buggies, people with disabilities, and others with constrained mobility who depend on these routes. This will have the added benefit of easing pressure on our road network.’
Galway City West candidate Maisie McMaster said that Fianna Fáil’s proposal to improve our road network mentions nothing about investing in cycleways demonstrates just how archaic and short-sighted their vision for Galway is.
“As an activist, ecosocialist councillor for Galway City West, the Salthill cycleway, which has been constantly stymied by establishment councillors, will be a top priority of mine. Not only do segregated cycle lanes take traffic off our roads and ease pressures on our road network, they ensure safer pedestrian travel, lower air and noise pollution, relieve traffic gridlock and lower emissions.
“Under the council’s prevailing strategy, traffic in Galway is in crisis; we need to promote serious alternatives ensuring a move away from the dominance of cars in the city,” she said.
