Huge surge in city traffic volumes

Traffic volumes in Galway City have reached “crisis point” – up almost 10% in the past six months – and are having a major impact on the local economy.

Data collected by the local authority has shown that traffic levels through junctions around the city have jumped by 8%.

And the feedback from corporate CEOs visiting Galway from abroad in relation to the city’s chronic congestion is broadly “negative”.

A local industry source warned: “This city has a reputation for traffic and when multinational reps are stuck sitting in it, that’s not good news. They fly into Shannon, zoom down the motorway, and then get stuck in cars as they come into the city. That’s going to leave a sour taste and will impact on investment, expansion and job creation.”

One of the hardest-hit areas in the city is the Parkmore Industrial Estate – where more than 6,000 workers face daily delays of up to 45 minutes to exit the estate.

However, plans are in place to create at least one new exit road from the estate, which is hoped to be in place within six months.

Michael Timmins, Senior Engineer with the County Council told the Galway City Tribune: “There were falls in traffic volumes from 2007 to 2012, but since then, there have been increases of around 2% or 3% per year. In the past six months, traffic through the junctions is up 8%. That’s a huge jump and the impact is very noticeable. We’re not at ‘boom time’ levels yet, but we’re getting there. The city just can’t cope with traffic.”

For more on the traffic crisis, see this week’s Galway City Tribune