Traffic is ‘strangling’ Galway’s business

Galway is being “slowly strangled by traffic congestion, and a new survey has found 80% of the business community believe it is having a negative impact on trade.

The research by business representative group Galway Chamber, found that 80% of businesses surveyed believe that traffic is having a ‘somewhat negative’ or ‘very negative’ impact on business.

Parking in the city and suburbs was also a key issue raised by businesses – leading to a renewed call for funding for the Galway Transport Strategy.

“When asked to identify the top local issues facing business right now the overwhelming biggest problem is – not surprisingly – traffic congestion, with over 80% saying that it was having a ‘somewhat negative’ or ‘very negative’ effect on them.

“This was followed by recruitment of staff and parking in Galway City or suburbs,” the report reads.

Chamber President Dave Hickey renewed a call for the Galway Transport Strategy – a €1 billion scheme which includes the Galway City Ring Road (commonly referred to as the ‘outer bypass’), and a plan to restrict access across the Salmon Weir Bridge, Eglinton Street and Williamsgate Street to buses, taxis, pedestrians and cyclists.

“We’re not surprised that traffic congestion is the biggest local issue for business by far. Galway is being strangled slowly by its traffic problems and we are again calling on Government to ensure that the Galway Transport Strategy is funded from 2019 onwards.

“We also want Galway City Council to engage immediately with the public and businesses on the detailed plans for the implementation of the strategy,” said Mr Hickey.

The survey was carried out in late June amongst Galway Chamber’s 400 members – 112 responses were received.

Other plans set out in the Galway Transport Strategy include a City Centre Access Route – a two-way inner-orbital route from the Quincentenary Bridge to the Headford Road junction, Cemetery Cross, the Moneenageisha junction, Lough Atalia, the Docks, Wolfe Tone Bridge, St Mary’s Road and back onto Quinentenary Bridge.

The Inner-City Access Route is another two-way route, linking Lough Atalia to the N6 (at the Headford Road junction) via Fairgreen Road, Bóthar Uí hEithir, Prospect Hill, Bóthar na mBan and the Headford Road.

A new pedestrian bridge alongside the Salmon Weir Bridge is also proposed.

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