There were harsh words, recriminations, accusations and apologies in City Hall this week over the emotive topic of Knocknacarra’s Western Distributor Road, but relief and joy about the Ring Road planning decision.
The potentially inflammatory topic of a proposed Tourist Tax was discussed much more amicably at the Galway City Council’s April plenary meeting this week, although there is disagreement on what it might be called, with various names bandied around on a measure that could bring €2m per year into a city which caters for up to 2.6 million overnight visitors annually.
‘Culture charge’, ‘nighttime levy’, ‘bed tax’ and others were suggested, as councillors voted to approve sending a proposal, well-researched by city officials, on a €1 per night charge for tourists, to the Department of Finance.
Such a tax would be collected by hoteliers, with Níall McNelis (Lab ) suggesting help should be arranged for hospitality businesses who already pay high commercial rates based on square footage, and that short term letting websites should be forced to collect tourist taxes, as they do in Paris, Barcelona and many US cities.
With the aftermath of disruption due to fuel protests in Galway still being cleared as elected members met on Monday for their monthly meeting, Councillor Declan McDonnell (Ind ) – delighted with planning approval for the port and ring road, summed up the vibe well: “These are strange but happy times,” he prophesied.
Widespread – but not universal – support was expressed by officials and councillors at news that planning permission for the Galway City Ring road, expansion of Galway port, and Newcastle Community Centre had been approved, but concerns persist that funding, legal, or regulatory speed bumps may still be ahead for the 18km orbital.
WDR
Councillor Donal Lyons (Ind ) set the cat among the pigeons when he tabled a non-agenda motion to suspend works on the planned and nationally-funded pedestrian and cycling upgrades for the Western Distributor Road (WDR ). Lyons wants the National Transport Authority to instead seek planning permission, then fund, bus lanes on the busy arterial route to link with the Park & Ride facility in Cappagh, due to come on stream in 2027.
Fellow west ward rep, Councillor Alan Curran (SD ), who is a teacher in Knocknacarra, went full classroom cross when he heard this, accusing Lyons of “trying to kill” potentially life-saving cycle lanes for pupils of the eight primary schools within 2km of the suburb, and nearby Colaiste na Coiribe.
He later apologised for the “emotive” tone of his comments, about a subject he feels strongly, warning that if the council cancels works funded by a national body, it is unlikely to look favourably at future requests.
Curran welcomed Lyons’ ultimate decision to delay introducing his motion after much debate, although harsh words between the two west siders indicate they will not be going on springtime bike rides together any time soon. Salthill’s Councillor Clodagh Higgins (FG ) complained that she was being inundated with negative messages from constituents about the topic, as the two men sparred in the chamber.
Several councillors expressed fears that they would get it in the neck from constituents if the WDR was disrupted for drivers when works begin this summer to build six new zebra crossings, and segregated cycle lanes between Cappagh and Clybaun, only to be dug-up in the future to lay bus lanes.
Fears were not allayed when Derek Pender, the senior city official tasked with active travel projects, revealed that NTA staff had let slip to him that it was likely they would fund bus lanes on sections of the WDR in the future, after splurging €875,000 on it already. He urged councillors, however, not to suspend current works, which might jeopardise all funding. “Don’t make me pull the handbreak,” he pleaded. “Let’s go to the NTA, let’s look them in the whites of their eyes, and knock heads together,” he recommended, robustly.
The NTA has already pulled funding for the proposed pedestrian bridge from Woodquay to the university along the Clifden railway stacks, although Pender explained Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF ) monies are still available, and the council will attempt to match them from elsewhere to bring this infrastructure to at least planning stage.
Ring Road
Prior to the meeting, standing orders were suspended to allow for some crowing on news of planning permission for the new ring road from Coolagh to past Barna, and the expansion of Galway Port. There was also some debate on the merits of fuel protestors’ causes in Galway city last week, alongside criticism of their blockading of regional fuel supplies in the Harbour Enterprise Park.
City manager Leonard Cleary told councillors that the GCCR was only one strand for sorting out Galway’s transport issues, and that it must “dovetail” with bus lanes and active travel measures. He expressed hopes that the GCCR would not be delayed by unnecessary judicial reviews, and communicated that anyone with concerns should contact the city council, or a dedicated project office in Ballybane.
“Serial objectors who don’t even live in the city have made a career objecting over the past three decades,” thundered McNelis to nods around the chamber. “This is no silver bullet, and when we get the money, it needs to be spent right,” he stressed.
Councillors Terry O’Flaherty (Ind ), McDonnell and Lyons – all experienced hands in City Hall – annunciated great welcomes for themselves for keeping the ring road on the agenda for decades, despite efforts by “former councillors long gone to other places” as one Fianna Fáiler quipped off-mic, to cancel the project. The same goes for the port extension, with Lyons recalling efforts by Foynes to scuttle Galway’s ambition to berth cruise ships.
Councillors Shane Forde (FG ), Eddie Hoare (FG ) and Mayor Mike Cubbard (Ind ) expressed concern for homeowners or landowners who will be adversely affected by the ring road, especially as officials explained that – unlike in Northern Ireland – proximity to a new dual carriageway will not result in statutory disruption payments. Only homes or lands compulsorily purchased will be recompensed.
Funded by Coimisiún na Meán’s Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
