Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta os rud é gur chuir sé an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo os comhair na Dála. Tá mise ag tógaint an ábhair seo thar ceann an Aire Iompair. I am aware of the Department’s recent report, The Economic Cost of Congestion in the Regional Cities 2022-2040, and the results pertaining to Galway. The report builds on an earlier study about Dublin published in 2023, which the Deputy mentioned. The same methodology was applied to Cork, Waterford and Galway, providing consistent and monetised examples of the costs of congestion across these cities.

The cost of congestion is calculated on the basis of lost productive time due to increased travel times. In Galway, the cost of congestion is projected to rise to €106.9 million by 2040. On a per capitabasis, this equates to €806 - second only to Dublin, which is projected at €1,047 per capitain 2040. These figures show the significant economic impact of congestion on residents and businesses in Galway. Those of us who have the privilege to visit Galway are only too well aware of the congestion, so we can empathise and sympathise.

The report indicates that Galway’s congestion costs will be notably higher than those in other regional cities. This reflects the growing demand on the transport network in the city as it assumes that Galway’s population and economy will continue to grow significantly over coming years. The pressure on transport infrastructure will then increase unless we take proactive measures.

While congestion is an inevitable consequence of economic and population growth, the results show how these costs will be distributed across different groups. The majority of costs are experienced by personal vehicles. However, the proportion attributed to goods vehicles is expected to increase by 2040. Galway shows a different pattern in the timing of congestion. Unlike other cities, which experience peak delays in the morning and evening, Galway’s congestion costs are distributed relatively evenly throughout the day. This is likely due to the employment patterns and travel behaviours in Galway, including tourists.

The report advises that infrastructure provision will mitigate congestion costs, but the mitigation could be temporary. In transport planning, it is well understood that increased supply will be met with increased demand, known as induced demand. The modelling incorporates projects outlined in the Galway transport strategy published in 2016. The Deputy mentioned some of them. The report further concludes that the planned infrastructure developments will reduce the cost of congestion compared to a scenario where they are not delivered, that is, the congestion projections would be far worse without the planned infrastructure investments. Notably, there is a slight decrease of approximately €500,000 in congestion costs in Galway between 2030 and 2040. This would indicate that the infrastructure delivered during this period will successfully reduce the rate of growth in congestion levels. The report makes clear that investment in public transport, promoting compact and mixed-purpose urban development and encouraging a shift toward sustainable modes of travel should be continued. To address congestion more broadly, support should be directed not only towards infrastructure alone but also toward behavioural changes through public awareness campaigns and incentives that make sustainable transport more attractive and accessible.

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