Traffic analysis angers residents

Calls by the Galway City Business Association to retain the one-way traffic system at Lough Atalia and College Road have been rejected by local residents and businesses who feel “shafted” by a lack of consultation.

And residents have claimed that a traffic audit being conducted in the area this week will be skewed because it does not take into account changes in traffic patterns during the road works, and there is no comparison to busier times of the year.

Work will begin after rush-hour traffic this evening to restore the two-way system, which will be back in place by 7am tomorrow morning (Saturday).

But the City Council has announced that the ban on right-hand turns at Moneenageisha junction is to remain in place as a trial for the summer.

Mike Guilfoyle of the Lough Atalia Residents’ Association said the eight week closure of the road under the railway bridge and the one-way traffic system was the only matter ever discussed with local residents and businesses.

“The residents agreed in terms of progress, and sat back and took it. Our understanding was that the two-way system would be reinstated after eight weeks, then there were an extra three weeks for the snag, which we accept completely.

“But then planners mentioned they were going to do an analysis of traffic with a view to possibly keeping the one-way system. There was absolutely no consultation with us on that.

“We feel shafted by not being consulted. That’s when the ire of the community was pushed past the point of no return. We’re stakeholders in this,” said Mr Guilfoyle, who operates a guesthouse on College Road.

The Galway City Business Association called this week for the one-way system to be retained until at least the end of the summer.

The group claimed visitors to the city were very positive about the system, and it had benefits for traders.

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune