Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Connolly for her question. I am sure that the Deputy is aware that the transport strategy for Galway city was prepared by the National Transport Authority in partnership with Galway City Council and Galway County Council in 2016. The strategy set out an overall framework for the development of transport infrastructure and services in Galway city and its environs over a 20 year period. It was included in the new city development plan which was adopted by the city council and came into force in January 2017.

I understand that the issue of light rail was considered in the preparation of the transport strategy for Galway city, where it was concluded that there is insufficient demand to justify the significant additional cost of developing a light rail system and that bus-based public transport represents the most appropriate system for Galway over the period considered in this transport strategy. Accordingly, light rail was not taken forward for economic appraisal in the context of a cost-benefit analysis for this mode of transport. The transport strategy for Galway city also concluded that a high-quality bus-based public transport service will cater for the forecasted passenger demand and will provide significant flexibility in terms of network options and the ability to integrate with other modes. The implementation of this strategy is primarily a matter for the local authority to pursue.

The national planning framework is being developed at present under the leadership of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

The framework is a long-term strategic planning framework which will guide national, regional and local planning and investment decisions over the period to 2040. In the context of the draft national planning framework and key future growth enablers for Galway, the plan recognises the need for provision of a citywide public transport network with enhanced accessibility between existing and proposed residential areas and the city centre and third level institutions and the employment areas to the east of the city. The current transport strategy for Galway city and background supporting analysis aligns to this need with its successors being guided by the national planning framework. I am conscious, in light in particular of the representations made to me not only by Deputy Connolly but other Deputies from Galway, that Galway is a microcosm of what is happening in other areas and that it is suffering in the area of traffic. I intend to regard it is a priority and to ensure that, as implied by the Deputy, it is not omitted from any of the schemes we are introducing to improve traffic and public transport nationwide.

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