East-west city link ‘absolute necessity’ to tackle traffic

Direct bus routes linking the east and west of the city are an absolute necessity if we are to escape being choked by cars over the coming years, according to the Chair of An Taisce, Galway.

Derrick Hambleton told the Galway City Tribune that as things stood at present, it was ‘virtually impossible’ to conveniently travel across the city without owning a car.

In a lengthy submission to Galway City Council based on the GTS (Galway Transport Strategy), An Taisce, Galway, state that there is real potential for developing public transit systems that connect the city’s outer suburbs.

“We must develop this direct public transport link between the east and west of the city that will make this route convenient and efficient for people who want an alternative to using their cars,” said Derrick Hambleton.

“The developed areas of Galway City of today sweep around its bay from Oranmore to Bearna. Yet, still it is virtually impossible to conveniently travel this full distance without owning a car,” he added.

An Taisce have again questioned the viability of the proposed Galway City Outer Bypass Project (GCOB), stating in their submission to the City Council, that it would in effect turn out to be ‘a ghost motorway’.

According to Derrick Hambleton, statistics from the consultants involved in the project indicated that only 5% to 6% of traffic actually using the new bypass would be travelling its full distance.

Galway, as a city, would fail to realise its true potential unless it developed a full public transit system that would give people a convenient transport option without having to use their cars, according to the environmental watchdog group.

An Taisce also point out in their submission to the City Council that:
■ The GTS presentation is based on past management transport studies that are outdated.
■ The benefits of electrically powered LRT (Light Rail Transit) should be examined further as a city transport option.
■ There should be a re-look at the twin-line rail option between Ceannt Station and Athenry.
■ The provision of school transport to be examined, given the scale of traffic snarl-ups caused by car school-trips.

Mr Hambleton also said that public transport plans over the coming years had to factor in both the student and working population of NUI Galway and also the numbers employed at University Hospital Galway.