Galway city to benefit from €3 million in sustainable transport funding

Minister for Public & Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, has today announced the provision of over €3 million of sustainable transport grants for Galway City.

The funding, administered by the National Transport Authority, will be used to remove pinch-points, improve public transport, cycling and pedestrian links throughout the city.

€610,000 will be allocated to Bus Eireann to finalise the major forecourt improvements at Ceannt Station which will also include the provision of improved waiting facilities with a seated waiting area and provision for retail units.

The funding will build on previous projects carried out over recent years. A cycle planner app for Galway city will be commissioned under the funding as well as various junction improvements to improve cycling in the city.

“Currently only 7% of Galway city commuters use the bus or the bike to get to work. That has to improve. Since 2011 and following this investment, the numbers using bus services have grown by more than 9% so we are beginning to see a real impact in the city.

“All of this funding is designed to improve the public transport and cycling offering within Galway city. While they are improving the overall public transport numbers and cycling numbers for Galway city are not as good as they could be. That is why this funding is so important.”

€325,000 will also go towards a variable message signage and parking guidance strategy, which will link with the traffic control system to allow motorists make informed decisions to minimise the impact of traffic on the network.

A further €500,000 will be allocated to the Fairgreen Road cycle way and improvements at the Tuam Road/Joyce Road junctions for bus prioritisation.  Various bus stops and footpaths will be improved as part of the integrated transport plan.

“The more we can limit traffic, improve public transport and get people to commute on bikes, the better the experience of shopping/working or travelling within the city will be. Traffic not only causes delays, it is bad for the environment and bad for the economy. This all builds on other work we are doing in the city such as the city bikes scheme which I will be launching in the city later this summer.”