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Traffic and pollution among main concerns over planned urban village at Ardaun
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Traffic, pollution and the need to preserve the Irish language are among the main concerns of the Galway public in relation to the development of a new ‘urban village’ at Ardaun.
The City chief’s report on submissions received on the draft Ardaun Local Area Plan has been presented to councillors at City Hall this afternoon.
The Ardaun plan aims to develop the area as a people and business friendly urban village, well connected with the greater city and its environs, where a sustainable framework for private and public investment is available.
It covers the period from 2018-2024.
The document outlines plans for an ‘urban design framework’ which would allow mixed-use zones including business and residential properties around a new village centre, as well as recreation and amenity zones.
The plan was put on public display in September, and 44 submissions were received.
A variety of concerns have been raised under the heading of traffic, public transport, pollution, and heritage.
These include concerns over the increased traffic volumes in the area, and the ability of the road network to cope.
There are also fears that the Doughiska Road will become a rat-run.
Pedestrians and cyclists say the council is being unrealistic in advocating for increased bus routes and pedestrian or cycle routes.
There’s also concern that the location is hostile to pedestrians and cyclists, in particular children.
In terms of pollution, submissions have been lodged regarding the potential impact of the plan on the environment.
It’s been suggested that trees should be planted along roads in the area to mitigate any noise and air pollution.
One submission suggests the area be called by its Irish name, ‘Na hArdáin,’ while another says heritage areas such as Bothar na Caillighe must be protected.
The plan still has a number of phases to go through before councillors decide whether or not to adopt it.
This afternoon, councillors are discussing a series of material alterations to the plan.
Once agreement is reached at council level, the changes will go back out on public display.
The death has occurred of the former Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Martin Drennan, six years after he announced his retirement on health grounds. He was aged 78.
The Galway Diocesan Office confirmed the death this (Saturday) afternoon of the Bishop and Apostolic Administrator Emeritus, who oversaw the Diocese for eleven years.
Born on January 2, 1944 in Piltown, County Kilkenny, he studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. His brother Michael is also a priest.
Following his ordination, he continued his studies in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate in both sacred theology and sacred scripture. He returned to Rome in 1980 to become spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College for the next five years.
He became a lecturer in sacred scripture at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he continued to teach until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 with responsibility for East Wicklow and South Dublin.
Following the retirement of Bishop James McLoughlin, Bishop Drennan was appointed Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and he was installed on July 3, 2005 in Galway Cathedral.
Outgoing Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) is on course to retain her City Council seat – and top the poll in City East.
With 33% of the boxes tallied, Cllr O’Flaherty is polling strongly, particularly in Renmore.
Michael John Crowe is ahead of his running mate Alan Cheevers for the Fianna Fáil vote, according to the early figures, although that could change when Doughiska and Roscam boxes are opened.
The Green Party’s Claire Hillery is on about 7%, with Fine Gael on 10% and Sinn Fein on 5%.
The opening of boxes for the local elections began at 9am this morning in Leisureland when the tallymen (and women) kicked into gear.
As regards the Galway County Council elections, the smaller areas are being opened first which means that the four-seater Connemara North boxes will be first in the pecking order.
It will be followed by Gort-Kinvara (5 seats), Connemara South (5 seats), Athenry-Oranmore (7 seats), Ballinasloe (6 seats), Loughrea (5 seats) and finally Tuam (7 seats).
The boxes in these areas will be opened and tallied in that particular order before being transferred to the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Threadneedle Road where the counting will commence around mid-morning.
That is when the fun will really begin – although the tallies should give a good indication as to where most of the seats are destined.
As regards the city, the Galway City East boxes were opened first, followed by Galway City Central and finally Galway City West. These votes will be transferred to the Westside Centre by around 11am for counting.
There are 39 seats on Galway County Council to be filled with 18 on Galway City Council. The City Council count is expected to conclude on Saturday night but the County Council count – with seven electoral areas to be filled – could well go into Monday.
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