The key issues identified as part of the study were an over-reliance on private car travel; significant peak-hour congestion and journey time unreliability; significant dispersed traffic movements to, through and around the city centre area; constraints to national, regional and local transport movements, all of which funnel through Galway city, including all movement to and from Connemara; limited bridge crossings on the River Corrib; key junctions operating over capacity; an inappropriate mix of transport modes within the city centre due to limited road space; a public transport service and network in need of enhanced capacity and additional priority; a limited, discontinuous cycle network; restricted footpaths, poor accessibility for disabled-mobility impaired; and associated safety issues due to poor walking and cycling infrastructure. The Galway transport strategy, GTS, has identified key transport infrastructure projects and service requirements which will address the existing transportation issues and provides a framework for their phased implementation, subject to funding. These infrastructural projects include an enhanced city traffic network; an improved bus network with a minimum frequency of 15 minutes or better at peak time and improved residential and commercial access to a bus in a ten minute walk; improved bus priority measures; and new park and ride services and improved walking and cycling routes.

The strategy was subject to extensive public consultation and a full environmental assessment. The proposals were developed and assessed using the NTA's transport model for the region and a comprehensive demand analysis was undertaken utilising key census data to derive a new core bus network. The GTS has been adopted into the development plans of the two local authorities and was a key factor in Galway city winning the European green leaf designation for 2017. One of the issues considered in the development of the strategy was whether a light rail solution - Luas - would be required for any of the transport corridors in the city. Based on a full transport modelling assessment, it was concluded that the provision of a light rail system would not be the appropriate transport solution for Galway city at this time. The maximum passenger corridor demand was forecast at roughly 1,100 passengers per hour per direction, which would equate to roughly one third of the operating capacity for a light rail service running at an appropriate frequency, making it a highly inefficient solution. The implementation timeline and capital costs, which would be approximately ten times that of a bus operated system, also weigh heavily against the introduction of Luas in Galway city at this time.

The economic importance of the wider Parkmore employment area is fully recognised by the NTA and is addressed at a strategic level in the Galway transport strategy. Three of the core bus services identified in the strategy will run to Parkmore, which will also eventually be served by the proposed N6 Galway city ring road. The NTA has recently appointed a design team to undertake a more focussed local transportation study of Parkmore. This study will provide a detailed breakdown of the infrastructural projects required to facilitate the short, medium and long term implementation of the strategy in Parkmore. It is anticipated that this study will allow for an accelerated delivery of new transportation options to Parkmore, providing relief for existing employees and facilitating future growth.

The implementation of the proposals in the Galway transport strategy will be challenging. However, I believe that their delivery will protect and enhance the future development of the city as an economic and cultural centre in the west of Ireland. We await the announcements in the national development plan to ascertain what funding is available to deliver on the recommendations in the strategy. I look forward to working with Galway City Council, Galway County Council and public transport operators to deliver this ambitious strategy for Galway.