inisterial officials, The National Transport Authority and Galway City Council, the Government, through the NTA, committed to allocating €100,000 funding for detailed design works at Parkmore — to allow for a scheme that will save Parkmore employees from being stuck in traffic for thousands of hours each year.
The area is home to many of the biggest employers in the city and employees and management have spoken of the frustration of being gridlocked because of the inadequacy of the existing transport system.
Speaking after the meeting, Senator Hildegarde Naughton, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, welcomed the commitment by Government to finding a solution to the traffic issues at Parkmore.
“Having previously involved the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in an effort to find a solution, I also contacted the Minister for Transport, Paschal O’Donohue TD Monday’s meeting involved officials who the Minister has tasked with finding a solution. I am pleased to see that my intervention with the Minister has yielded results.
“Work can now commence on detailed designs. This design work will encompass plans to widen the Parkmore Road in the area of the Briarhill junction and works on the Parkmore Roundabout to convert it to a signalised crossroad junction. The other area requiring work is the junction at the N17 and Parkmore road which is already the subject of an examination in light of the proposed Tuam Road Bus Corridor.
She said that when design work is complete there remains the task of securing funding to complete the project. “I am absolutely committed to seeking to secure such funding from my Government colleagues once detailed plans are submitted.
“While today’s news is positive, in the long term I am firmly of the belief that a properly planned park and ride system must form part of the strategic future for Galway traffic management. It is incontrovertible that strategically located park and ride facilities with frequent and reliable pickups and drop-offs work. Park and ride systems work extremely well elsewhere when properly planned and delivered. There is no reason why Galway cannot offer the same service.
Thousands of hours are lost to Parkmore employees every day sitting in traffic waiting to exit Parkmore.
“As spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I will continue to pursue this matter. It is utterly unacceptable that the standard of living of so many employees is being affected by an issue for which a resolution can be found. It is also unacceptable that the expansion plans of so many companies are being put at risk.
“Parkmore is hugely valuable to the economy of Galway and the Western region. However, that value is diminished daily as thousands of people’s lives are marooned in never ending traffic jams. When the new plans are submitted I will be working hard to ensure sufficient funding is available to implement traffic solutions for Parkmore,” she concluded.
