Creating six park and ride facilities on the outskirts of Galway city is a realistic and worthwhile option that would significantly reduce traffic congestion.
This is the view of Galway West Fianna Fáil TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Transport Committee Frank Fahey.
He believes the park and ride facilities could be established at the Dublin Road (adjacent to the Castlegar Sports Centre ); on the Monivea Road (between the airport and Briarhill ); on the Tuam Road (Loughgeorge ); Headford Road (Ballindooley area ); Moycullen Road (Bushypark area ), and the An Spidéal Road (west of Bearna ).
Dep Fahey met with the Mayor of Galway councillor Declan McDonnell this week to discuss the issue. He said if the mayor were to initiate a tender process for landowners to submit proposals to lease suitable lands and to invite the private sector to become involve, “he would find the will is there”.
“The Department of Transport would also support the move in conjunction with Galway City Council,” he said.
“The Galway Chamber of Commerce and the Galway City Business Association recently visited Cambridge to see how such a city-circling park and ride formula is working successfully there. There are 5,000 spaces in the Cambridge park and ride sites and buses operate into the city every 10 minutes from five different points around the city.”
“I have suggested to the mayor he visit Cambridge to see successful traffic management in a medieval city similar to Galway which is based on a successful park and ride strategy,” said Dep Fahey.
“This kind of initiative should be operating in Galway. It would mean significantly shorter journey times for people, particularly in rush hour on week days. It would take away the hassle of finding a parking space on busy shopping days.”
