Consultants to get €1m for traffic solutions

More than one million euro has been set aside to pay for consultants who have been engaged to devise controversial traffic calming measures for two County Galway villages which are among the country’s most notorious blackspots.

It has been revealed that a staggering €1.14 million is earmarked to pay for consultancy fees for traffic calming plans for both Claregalway and Clarinbridge – measures that could have a negative economic impact for both villages.

Meetings have already taken place in Clarinbridge with many of those in attendance voicing their opposition to the plan as it would have the effect of removing 12 car parking spaces in the village and result in passing traffic not stopping to do business.

Now, it has been alleged that the €1 million-plus has been earmarked for consultancy fees without “a single sod” being turned on either project. It has been described as a disgraceful waste of money.

The figures have been disclosed by barrister and councillor James Charity following repeated queries to senior Council officials. Cllr Charity opposed the budget for the Athenry-Oranmore Municipal Council area – as did two of his colleagues – but it was passed on the casting vote of the Cathaoirleach.

At that meeting, it was agreed to provide €100,000 to both traffic calming schemes. This is in addition to €540,000 that was allocated in 2015 and a further €500,000 in 2016.

According to Cllr Charity, the total allocation set aside for the traffic calming schemes over the past three years now stands at €1.14 million – having received the backing of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors on the authority.

“It is simply beyond belief that more money is being allocated for consultancy fees on these projects, despite the fact that not as much as a sod of turf has been turned in either location.

“We are talking about enormous sums of money here, potentially as much as €1,140,000 million, all of which is going to consultants without any benefit being seen on the ground, which is little short of a scandal.

“This is coming at a time when the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael dominated coalition on the Council voted through an increase of 10% in Local Property Tax, which would effectively equate to the amount being approved under these schemes for consultants.

“To make matters even worse, there has been strong local opposition to the plans prepared by consultants for the Clarinbridge proposal to date, with the community there raising serious issues about the potential loss of parking in the village and the impact this will have on local businesses and schools.

“As a result, it means the current plans prepared by consultants, at huge expense to Galway taxpayers, may never be followed through or, at the very least, will not be advanced in their current form.

“I am also at a loss as to why more money is being proposed for consultants on the Clarinbridge scheme, given that they have already produced their substantive plan for the area, and additional vast sums for any amendments, if that is what this sum envisages, really calls into question the procurement policy being adopted by the Council and the terms of any contracts that were entered into”, Cllr Charity said.