John Connolly, Fianna Fáil election candidate and city councillor, says he has sought a commitment from Tánaiste, Micheál Martin to ensure that if Fianna Fáil form part of the next Government that the Galway Ring Road project will be included in the next Programme for Government.
“If elected, I will insist that the new Government give us a realistic timescale for the N6 project to be approved, funded and construction commenced” said Cllr Connolly this week.
Cllr Connolly has said that while the project is currently undergoing a planning assessment, there was no reason that the department of transport shouldn’t be ready to commence construction should the application get approval.
“It’s important to remember that the road was previously granted planning by An Bord Pleanála and I expect the current assessment process to provide a further grant of permission.”
Cllr Connolly has said that the political opposition to the project has propelled the legal challenges to the grant of planning permission.
“I struggle to comprehend how there are political representatives who claim that we don’t need the new road. The road is a key requirement in facilitating better public transport and enhancing the public transport efficiency in the city.”
“The development of the Road is crucial not simply to ease the congestion of the city but also to enable ease of access to the west of the county.”
Cllr Connolly, who has consistently supported and advocated for the Ring Road in Galway City Council said he couldn’t stress strongly enough how important the Ring Road was for the future of the region.
“The protracted delays in the Bord Pleanala process and High Court appeal are now behind us. The Project Road office has now submitted the new details on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS ) so there should be no further delay in the assessment process.”
“We must insist on Bord Pleanala approving the project as their top priority and the provision of the required financial support to do this and it must form part of the agreed Programme for the new Government.
“Galway is the only city in Ireland without a Ring Road. It is time for action. If elected, I will seek a timeline for planning approval, funding and construction of the ring road, which Fianna Fáil, if in government, must make it a priority.”
