Consultants accused of ‘hoodwinking’ residents

Date Published: 04-Apr-2008

The Mayor of Galway has blasted the consultants charged with proposing a plan for the Headford Road area — accusing them of trying to “hoodwink” local residents.

Mayor Tom Costello also accused the consultants of a ‘cock-up’ in relation to their handling of a public meeting about the plan and he has demanded that they hold another consultation session that gives residents the ‘full picture’.

Up to 100 residents turned up at the Menlo ParkHotel on Wednesday evening to give their views on the new framework plan for the rejuvenation of the Headford Road area. Confusion reigned however, and residents were angry that the maps on display did not include controversial plans to construct a new road connecting the Dyke Road to the Quincentenary Bridge, which would take traffic off the Headford Road.

Massive opposition to the proposed road has already intensified because it would invade one of the last remaining green spaces in the city, Terryland Forest Park.

Residents were even more incensed when it emerged that City Councillors were shown different maps — which included the proposed road — during a presentation by the consultants at City Hall earlier on Wednesday.

In addition, residents claimed that the …………………….