Galway Bay FM News Archives
Motorway, outer bypass and rail link to be halted by new cuts
Date Published: 08-Jun-2011
Major infrastructural projects like the Gort to Tuam motorway, the Galway City Outer Bypass and the extension of the Western Rail Corridor are about to be shelved as tens of millions have been slashed from road and rail projects.
The Minister for Transport stated emphatically this week that there would be no new roads project carried out next year.
And it has also cast a cloud over the Claregalway bypass being constructed although a firm of consultants was recently employed by Galway County Council to progress this project to the compulsory purchase order stage.
With a whopping €150 million cut from the Government’s infrastructural budget this year, there is now no chance of any progress being made on the much needed Galway City Outer Bypass, which is currently immersed in a legal wrangle by objectors to the €350 million project.
This project was to be funded by the state, but Minister Leo Varadkar completely ruled out any roads project happening next year as he emphasised that savage cuts in spending had to be made.
With regards the Gort to Tuam motorway, around €120 million has already been spent on this scheme with the vast majority of this being on the acquisition of lands along the 57 kilometre route.
The consortium chosen to construct the motorway as part of a public private partnership agreement encountered difficulties raising the finance to construct the€500 million project and there were plans by the National Roads Authority to put it out to tender again.
And with €30 million slashed from the CIE budget, there is little chance of the Western Rail Corridor being extended to Tuam within the next few years – indeed, there is every possibility that some of the services between Galway and Limerick could be axed in the process.
Galway West TD Noel Grealish said that from meetings he attended with Minister Varadkar in recent weeks, it was apparent that no roads would be built in Galway for the next few years.
See full story in this week’s Connacht 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.
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