Taoiseach agrees Park and Ride could be solution for Parkmore traffic

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to forward a proposal to the National Transport Authority for a new Park and Ride service at Galway Airport to cater for thousands of workers in Parkmore.

The plan involves the creation of a dedicated bus corridor to and from the airport and a shuttle service within the Parkmore carparks, which serve up to 7,000 workers in a host of multinationals.

It’s understood that preliminary discussions have taken place with landowners and the reaction has been positive – it could take a major step forward in the second half of this year.

Multinationals will also look at co-funding the Park and Ride service.

Deputy Noel Grealish raised Galway’s infamous reputation for traffic congestion in the Dáil this week and told Mr Kenny that a Park and Ride service from the airport could form part of a solution.

In response, the Taoiseach described the suggestion as “novel” and said he would forward the proposal to the NTA.

Adding that the Christmas Park and Ride at Galway Racecourse had been very successful, Mr Kenny said significant congestion is a problem at Parkmore.

He said work is progressing to develop both short and long-term solutions to the traffic problems. A design team has been appointed to examine all options for short-term access/exit options at Parkmore and these will be identified and assessed by the end of February.

Adding that the designers will also look at long-term options, Mr Kenny said: “Depending on funding implications, it may be possible to commence smaller measures this year.”

Deputy Grealish said the ‘tweaking’ of traffic lights on the Monivea Road is not a solution – he had spoken to representatives of multinationals about a Park and Ride and they said they would look at co-funding it.

“The suggestion [Park and Ride] is novel. I will have it brought to the attention of the NTA. It needs to be more than tweaking traffic lights,” said the Taoiseach.

For more on the Park & Ride proposal, see this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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