Legal delay threatens entire Outer Bypass project

Date Published: 25-Aug-2010

The Chief Executive of the National Roads Authority has made a staggering admission that it will be “at least several years” before the €320 million Galway City Outer Bypass even reaches the design stages, let alone construction phase.

And there are now fears that the project – which includes a fifth bridge over the Corrib – may never go ahead.

The comments by the roads chief are being seen as an admission by the NRA that the project – which is currently before the European Court of Justice – could now be ‘dead in the water’.

NRA Chief Fred Barry made the remarks in a letter to Deputy Noel Grealish earlier this month, saying: “Given the involvement of the European Court, it will at least be several years before detailed design can commence,” said Mr Barry.

Deputy Grealish has now warned that alternatives to the Bypass need to be looked at as a matter of urgency.

He told the Connacht Tribune: “This has gone on long enough. €20m has already been spent on the Outer Bypass and it is stuck in the European Courts. Fred Barry has now admitted it will be several years before it reaches the detailed design stages.

“I’m very disappointed with his response, and something needs to be done. We now have to start looking at alternatives and see what can be done. Could we introduce a light rail or an overhauled public transport system?

“I think his comments cast serious doubts over the possibility of it ever going ahead. We cannot sit back and continue to suffer the huge traffic problems for the people of Galway, visitors and businesses. I am bitterly disappointed. It’s a huge setback,” said Deputy Grealish.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.