Galway Bay FM News Archives
Hope of €20m to help sort city traffic woes still alive
Date Published: 24-Mar-2011
By Declan Tierney
A renewed drive is being made to secure a slice of a €50 million fund which would enable the city to embark on a major pedestrianisation programme along with the provision of bus corridors and cycle lanes.
The Galway City Tribune has been informed that the Smart Travel Scheme, which was introduced by the last Government, has not been scrapped, although it has been seriously delayed.
Renewed efforts are now being made by both Galway City Council and local TDs to determine if the fund for the scheme is still in place.
Galway West TD Brian Walsh (FG) said that as far as he knew, the scheme was never scrapped and this being the case, then the fund was still in place. He gave an undertaking to push for the grant for Galway.
He said that long hours were spent by Galway City Council putting together a submission for the scheme – it was hoped that it would secure in the region of €20 million.
The Smarter Travel initiative is designed to provide funding that can be used for the implementation of policies to increase the use of walking, cycling and use of rail and buses for commuting to and travelling around the city.
Park and Ride facilities, increased bus frequencies and varied routes, and more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly measures are some of the elements that were submitted as part of the bid.
The proposed pedestrianisation of Eglinton Street and Williamsgate Street was also part of the submission to the Department of Transport.
The submission made under the scheme would cost €19.8 million and a further investment of €6.6 million would be provided by both Galway City and Galway County Councils.
Deputy Walsh said that it was unlikely that Galway would get everything included in its ‘shopping list’ but expected that it would benefit to a significant degree once it was confirmed that the fund was still in place.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
Families queue up for school’s offer of free house
West has lower cancer survival rates than rest
Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
Gardaí and IFA issue a joint appeal on summer road safety
Marathon Man plans to call a halt – but not before he hits 160 races
