Claregalway to get bus lane

Date Published: 26-Jul-2007

A bus lane for Claregalway has been given the green light by County Councillors this week, in the hopes that it will reduce the number of vehicles travelling through the traffic plagued village.

But while many councillors voiced their support for the Quality Bus Corridor, the point was made there should have been more consultation with residents and business people in the area about the project.

Two million euros had already been allocated for the project by the Department of Transport; and it will include a bus lane on both approaches to Claregalway on the existing N17.

Footpaths will also be provided for the length of the bus corridor, and traffic lights will be erected at the junction of the N17 and N18, as well as the Claregalway Hotel/Lakeview Road junction. The project was passed by councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday; and a separate proposal for a pedestrian footbridge across the Clare River is to come before the elected members in the coming months.

According to County planners, the lane will operate in a southerly direction toward Galway city from the Kinniska Junction (on the Tuam side) to the N18 junction from 7.30am to 10.30am; and in the northerly direction toward Tuam from the Cregboy Junction (on the Galway side) to the N18 junction from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, seven days a week.

Councillors were told that “normal use” of the bus lane will be allowed during the off peak periods. Construction is to begin in…….