Withdrawal of objection allows Galway Ring Road to proceed
People living with uncertainty
THE Junior Transport Minister expects construction on the N6 Galway City Ring Road to start in 2028 at the latest, after the final objection to the project was withdrawn on Monday.
Judicial review proceedings taken against the long-mooted project, which is expected to cost in the region of €1billion, were withdrawn in the High Court by cycling advocate Shane Foran. The withdrawal means that all judicial review proceedings against the project have been brought to a close.
An Coimisiún Pleanála granted permission for the 18km ring road project in April. The road is to go from the M6 motorway on the east of Galway city to Bearna on the west side of the city and includes a new crossing over the River Corrib. The project was first proposed in 1999.
A total of 54 families and individuals will have homes demolished or acquired in order for the ring road to be built. Junior Transport Minister and Galway East TD Seán Canney has said that every homeowner and landowner directly impacted by the ring road project’s route should be contacted this week, and that the project can now move onto the procurement stage.
“This is a major step forward for a project that has been talked about for far too long. We can now move ahead and finally deliver the Galway Ring Road,” said Minister Canney.
“I have met with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Galway City Council and Galway County Council and made it absolutely clear that every homeowner and landowner directly affected by the route must be contacted this week to ensure their individual circumstances and concerns are sorted.
“These people have been living with uncertainty for far too long. There must be meaningful, one-to-one engagement with every affected homeowner and landowner.”
“We are now proceeding with the procurement process, with construction expected to commence by 2028 at the latest.
“This road is long overdue. It is a vital piece of infrastructure for not just Galway City and County but the entire western region, helping to reduce traffic congestion, improve journey times, strengthen connectivity and support businesses and communities.”
Galway West TD Noel Grealish has said that people affected by (CPOs) Compulsory Purchase Orders need to be provided with as much help as possible to relocate to new homes, and raised the matter with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in Cabinet yesterday (Tuesday).
“Naturally, many of them want to stay in the areas where they have spent all their lives and they have to be facilitated to do this, helped to find new homes or to secure sites and get through the planning processes,” said the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture.
Very stressful time
“It’s a dramatic move for them and a very stressful time for them – you must remember that many of these people are quite advanced in age and it’s all a traumatic experience for them.
“The Government, TII and both local authorities are going to have to work closely with all the homeowners and landowners as a top priority for the next part of this project.”
Monday’s decision was welcomed by the Galway City Council, Galway County Council and the TII. A statement issued on behalf of the councils and the TII said that Mr Foran had engaged with the City Council and project team, with discussions focused on the City Council’s transport functions and plans to improve cycling facilities in the city.
The two local authorities have said they are committed to delivering the Galway City Ring Road, which was recognised by the Government as a Critical Infrastructure project in July.