The National Transport Authority has decided to pause developing Galway city’s transport strategy until a decision is made for or against the N6 Ring Road.
Last month, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien told the Dáil that the NTA was considering when it would publish the new Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS ), but this week, the state body confirmed to Galway West TD John Connolly that it was suspending publication.
In a letter to Deputy Connolly, the NTA’s chief executive, Hugh Creegan, explained that because An Bord Plenála is currently reviewing a revised planning application from Galway County Council for the city’s proposed ring road from Coolagh to the Coast Road, he was pausing publishing any transport policy proposals for Galway.
“The NTA considers that it would be appropriate to defer the development of the updated transport strategy for Galway until such time as An Bord Pleanála have made their determination on the re-submitted N6 Galway City Ring Road application,” wrote Creegan.
In conjunction with Galway city and county councils, the NTA was tasked with developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS ).
Speaking to the Advertiser, Dep Connolly said this decision was “bad news” for Galway’s commuters.
“When the NTA announced in 2022 that the review of the Transport Strategy was to commence, there was uncertainty then about the Ring Road, as the initial planning grant was under judicial review. Yet at that point the NTA were happy to commence the review, and were even considering presenting two scenarios within the strategy to cover whatever decision would be arrived at on the road,” says Connolly.
Dep Connolly believes the decision on the Ring Road should not pause the new GMATS entirely. He is calling on the NTA, and Galway’s local authorities, to publish a summary of what has been proposed so far, and to commit funding to develop and expedite other parts of the plan not contingent on the ring road.
“The Cork Transport Strategy was published in 2020. The Waterford and Limerick strategies were published in 2022, but there is still no sign of a finished Galway strategy. We cannot wait any longer. Progress needs to be made, for the good of our city, the environment, and for commuters,” he said.
Last month, senior Galway County Council officials expressed confidence that the ring road will receive planning permission, while Galway city’s chief executive warned he expected another oral hearing first.
Minister of State for Road Transport, Galway East’s Sean Canney TD, said the ring road could be shovel ready by 2028 if planning approval was swift.
