End in sight to Galway commuter traffic chaos

Construction work could begin next month on a new link road for the Parkmore Business Park – designed to act as a “release valve” for chronic congestion which sees thousands of workers stuck in their cars for up to 90 minutes each evening.

Planning permission has now been granted for the road, which will allow cars to exit onto Parkmore Road, rather than having to use the existing Parkmore roundabout exit.

However, the plans could be delayed by up to four months if local residents appeal the decision. The road would take around six weeks to build.

Each day, up to 7,000 workers commute to work in Parkmore, which is home to some of Galway’s biggest employers, including Creganna, Medtronic, Genband, Celestica, BSM, Lake Region Medical, Merit Medical, SAP and Fidelity.

But each morning and evening, they also face chronic delays – some motorists get stuck attempting to exit the factory carparks for up to an hour-and-a-half.

As previously reported by the Connacht Tribune, the directors of a number of multinational companies in Parkmore have said there will be no new investment in Galway, unless the traffic chaos is sorted.

And the heads of the City and County Councils have conceded that traffic is causing “major international damage” to Galway.

The approved plans will see the creation of a ‘left in, left out’ junction on Parkmore Road, around 200 metres north of the Parkmore roundabout, and the provision of a link road to connect an unfinished internal road.

A central traffic island and flexible bollards will be erected to prevent right turns to and from Parkmore Road.

The link road will be a seven-metre wide carriageway with footpaths, cycle paths, road markings, signage and traffic calming.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.