Critical infrastructure identified for future of the West

The construction of the Galway City Outer Bypass, a high-quality road and rail network from Galway to Derry and the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor have all been identified as critical infrastructure for the development of the Western region.

In a submission to Government on the ‘Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework’, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) has also identified the city regions of Galway, Sligo and Letterkenny-Derry as critical development areas for future population growth.

The Framework is a national policy being drafted which will attempt to map out the country’s population growth over the next 25 years.

The NWRA said the development of the Atlantic Economic Corridor from Galway to Derry, to a ‘TEN-T’ high quality road standard. A ‘TEN-T’ is a trans-European Transport network standard which comprises roads, railway lines and terminals and ports.

“This will ensure improved access to the city regions, but also to Ireland West International Airport,” the submission reads.

The submission – prepared as a ‘look back’ at the country from the years 2028 and 2040 – adds that the Galway-Derry is “critical” to achieving ongoing development in the Northern and Western regions.

“The Assembly demonstrate the critical need to underpin the long-term development of the region through the provision of key infrastructure including upgrading the N4 (and N5 from Westport to N17), the N2/A5 (which runs from Dublin, through Tyrone and Derry), the Galway City Ring Road and the N17/N15 Atlantic Corridor network,” the submission reads.

It adds that the unused Western Rail Corridor must remain in public ownership to ensure it can re-open to deal with freight requirements and the potential impact of Brexit.

“The long-term feasibility of extension of existing rail services from Galway up to Sligo must remain an open option subject to appropriate consideration. This also applies to the movement of rail freight across the region and island generally.

“Therefore, retaining existing and under-used networks in public ownership must remain a policy priority for the long term.

“There is an existing unutilised but in care railway line from Galway up to Colloney taking in Tuam, Claremorris and Tubbercurry and other smaller towns and villages which runs in close proximity to Ireland West Airport Knock. There has been a long-standing campaign to re-open this line as well as a campaign to use the line as a part of a long distance off-road cycle/walkway.

“The need for the long-term to protect the rail alignments from Galway to Sligo is critical. As freight develops and with the potential impact of Brexit on the existing key export ports on the island the country needs to retain options for re-configuring freight movements out of other developing ports such as Shannon/Foynes and Galway.

“The relevant Development Plans in Galway, Mayo and Sligo acknowledge the need to preserve the line for future potential development for rail purposes. The retention of existing and underused alignments in public ownership should be a priority, as this cross-radial rail corridor has the capacity to deliver sustainable transport options proximate to the Atlantic Economic Corridor,” the submission reads.

Its future vision also identifies Galway and Killybegs Ports as the “jewels in the crown in the northern European cruise markets with a continuous flow of adventure-based and general tourism cruise offerings”.

The report also identifies stumbling blocks to the future prosperity of Galway City – one of the three urban centres which it has earmarked for expansion in population and capable of creating new employment.

“The Galway City region has been the urban success story within the NWRA region in recent times and has continued to grow in the last 15 years, with its population scheduled to pass 100,000 shortly beyond 2020 if the current rate of growth continues in the coming years.

“Galway can continue to grow and prosper, however, there are a number of key barriers which must be addressed to enable this, which include: the timely advancement of the Galway Port project; the implementation of the Galway City Transport Strategy; the Galway City Ring Road; additional wastewater infrastructure.

“The opening of the M17/18 from Gort to Tuam will have a significant and positive impact in accessing into Shannon and Limerick from Galway and South Mayo, but there remains considerable necessity to advance critical road-based provision if the expectations of the Atlantic Economic Corridor are to be achieved,” the submission reads.