Galway Racecourse ‘did not turn down’ Council for Park and Ride site

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – Management at Galway Racecourse offered Galway City Council an alternative site in Ballybrit to run its Christmas Park and Ride service months ago, the Galway City Tribune understands.

This is despite assertions from the Council that the Racecourse could not provide a space for the facility because of the ongoing Covid vaccination programme being run at Ballybrit.

Manager of Galway Racecourse Michael Moloney told the Galway City Tribune that while the normal car park used for the service would not be available this year, another site had been offered.

“We’ve never turned down the Council [for Park and Ride] and an alternative location is available at the racecourse,” said Mr Moloney.

This newspaper understands that the Council contacted Galway Racecourse two to three months ago, with a view to establishing a Park and Ride service this Christmas.

An alternative site was offered at this time, but it was only after this newspaper published details from the Council Chief Executive’s Monthly Report – which indicated the service would not proceed – that engineers visited this alternative site to check its suitability.

A spokesperson for Galway City Council said that the Roads Section at City Hall were continuing discussions with a view to having a park and ride service this December.

This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.