Advocates of a very light rail system for Galway are pushing to get the Gluas project back on track – as part of the solution to the city and county’s traffic congestion.

The Gluas committee will meet this March with Atkins Realis consultants, who are tasked with compiling GMATS (Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy).

The GMATS will replace the existing Galway Transportation Strategy and must take account of the new national Climate Action Plan.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan also stipulated that the new strategy must include a feasibility study on light rail for Galway.

Gluas already had two online meetings with Atkins Realis last year. The group is hoping that the third meeting, in-person on the ground in Galway, will help the consultants to recognise the potential for a city tram service – and to commit to examining it further.

The National Transport Authority, who are responsible for GMATS, are expected to attend the meeting. Robert Canavan, a member of Gluas committee, said the group was confident a very light tram system was the best solution to Galway’s traffic.

“We’ve no fear it will fail; we’re convinced it will be a success, and could be rolled-out to other cities,” Mr Canavan told The Connacht Tribune.

Previous plans unveiled over a decade ago were ruled-out based on excessive cost, and construction upheaval.

But Gluas insisted this week that its latest plan was viable at an estimated €280 million, and 140 weeks to construct.

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