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Home arrow News arrow Local News arrow Bus lane is not enough, say Claregalway residents
Bus lane is not enough, say Claregalway residents E-mail
Written by Marie Madden   
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Claregalway residents have said that the planned bus lane for the village will not go far enough to solve traffic gridlock in the village.

Speaking to the Galway Independent, local hotel owner Paul Gill said that although they welcomed all efforts to ease the situation, the fight would still go on for a bypass for Claregalway.

“This was pushed through by Tuam Council and I’m not sure that it will make that much difference to the traffic. We will have three lanes, which will be an advantage, but at crucial times, I don’t think it will have that much of a difference because I don’t think that many buses pass through the village. There is also a huge safety concern there for people walking across the lane.

“On the other hand, we do welcome extension of the footpaths and the erection of a boardwalk over the bridge and these will help a lot. But the fight still goes on. All these changes may help the situation but a bypass is the only solution.”

Josette Farrell, of the Claregalway Bypass Action Group, was equally sceptical of the plans but stayed hopeful that if carried out correctly, it could ease the traffic flow in Claregalway.

“When I heard about it first, I thought it was a terrible idea and that there wouldn’t be any room. In a way, I think it could work if it is done properly. But we need new footpaths and the lights at Hughes would have to be moved. The council say they will make all these changes and if they do, then it could work. Otherwise it could be a total disaster,” she said.

A meeting is now to take place between Galway County Council officials and local community, business and resident associations to ensure their concerns are resolved.

Work on the €2 million quality bus corridor will begin in the next few months after county councillors passed an important part eight planning hurdle at this week’s meeting.
 
The project will provide a 3.7km long bus lane on the approaches to Claregalway Village and will also include a bus lane through the village. The plans also include a synchronised traffic light system to assist in the free flow of traffic.
 
Mayor of County Galway, Seán Canney said the passing of the part eight was a major step forward by Galway County Council in providing infrastructure for buses on the N17.
 
He hopes that when this project is complete commuters will find it more
attractive to use the bus services to Galway and leave their cars at home.
 
“This project will be a major benefit to workers and students from Milltown, Kilconly, Dunmore, Mountbellew, Moylough, Abbeyknockmoy, Tuam town and the general North Galway area,” concluded Mayor Canney
 


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