Deputy John Connolly has expressed concern that additional rail infrastructure has not been included among the key enablers for the development of Galway City in the National Planning Framework.
The absence of rail infrastructure to facilitate the City’s development is in contrast to Waterford, Cork and Limerick, where the NPF details enhanced use of rail infrastructure in all three cities.
In a Dáil contribution on the National Planning Framework, Deputy Connolly said this was a “puzzling and disappointing omission” given Galway City Council’s NPF submission which highlighted the “potential for transport-orientated development along the rail track between Galway and Athenry”.
The City Council outlined in its submission to the Revised National Planning Framework that lands adjacent to the railway line are reserved for sustainable transport use, and that these can support active travel connections to the city centre, including potential for commuter rail stop facilities.
Dep Connolly has called for the omission of references to Rail Infrastructure to be rectified in the National Development Plan. He has also called on the Minister for Local Government to include doubling the rail track between Galway and Athenry to be specifically included in the review of the National Development Plan.
“The All Island Strategic Rail Review proposes the measure and its benefits to the future development of the city should have been recognised within the framework,” said Dep Connolly.
“Among the purposes of the National Development Plan is to outline the infrastructure required to bring the National Planning Framework to fruition. Enhanced rail infrastructure will be required to help Galway to grow to the City of Scale proposed in the NPF.”
Dep Connolly was critical of the National Transport Authority in his Dáil contribution. “I was glad that the Minister didn’t accept the submission of the NTA, which sought to delete any reference to the Galway Metropolitan Transport Strategy in the Planning Framework.”
The NTA has assured Dep Connolly that, along with the Galway City and County Councils, they are developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS ).
This strategy will replace the existing Galway Transport Strategy adopted in 2016 and will provide a long-term strategic planning framework for the delivery of transport and the integrated development of transport infrastructure and services in the Galway Metropolitan Area.
