Headford Road area for major revamp

A ‘masterplan’ for the regeneration of the Headford Road area – including links to the River Corrib and Terryland Forest Park – is to be drawn up by Galway City Council.

According to the Draft City Development Plan for 2017-23, the area south of the Bodkin junction is primed for development, including a new residential community.

The draft plan notes the 30-hectare area “lacks cohesion, a sense of place and identity”.

The plan says the existing parks are under-used and lack adequate passive surveillance.

And, despite the upgrade of the Bodkin roundabout to a signalised junction and the revision of traffic circulation measures, it still suffers traffic congestion.

The plan points out that the Headford Road has great potential for redevelopment given its proximity to the city centre, the existing infrastructure available, and the extent of its natural heritage and amenity resources, namely the River Corrib and Terryland River Valley and Forest Park.

“A more mixed use area is anticipated with significant levels of new residential uses, increased retail floorspace, commercial office type employment opportunities and cultural and civic uses,” the Draft Plan reads.

Sustainable modes of transport have also been identified by the local authority as being integral to the development. A public transport hub is also planned for the area.

For more on the Headford Road area plans, see this week’s Galway City Tribune