From the City Tribune: A new Galway Transportation Strategy – to take account of the national Climate Action Plan 2023 – is due to be published by the end of this year, according to Green Party Minister, Eamon Ryan.

In reply to a Dáil question from Galway West Independent TD Catherine Connolly, the Transport Minister said that the new plan would also include a feasibility study on a light rail system for the city.

The revised Transportation Strategy, known as GMATS (Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy), has already gone out to tender with the National Transport Authority (NTA) currently assessing the submissions received.

“A feasibility study of light rail will be undertaken as part of the development of the new strategy which will replace the current Galway Transport Strategy,” Minister Ryan stated in his reply to Deputy Connolly.

He added that once the tender assessment process was completed, the composition of the new strategy team would then be known.

“The NTA will undertake a comprehensive public consultation exercise on a draft GMATS as part of the development process, with an expected publication of a final strategy before the end of 2023,” Minister Ryan stated.

This article first appeared in the print edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can support our journalism by subscribing to the Galway City Tribune HERE. A one-year digital subscription costs just €89.00. The print edition is in shops every Friday.

As well as the NTA, Galway City and County Councils are involved in the process which is designed to incorporate actions included in the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2023.

This plan, which was adopted by Government on December 21 last, takes account of the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings agreed by Cabinet earlier in 2022.

Some of the key goals in the Climate Action Plan include one in three cars to be electric by 2030 with walking, cycling and public transport to account for 50% of all daily trips.

GMATS is also expected to examine plans for the City Bypass Project which has been allocated a further €3 million in this year’s roads budget by Galway County Council.

Earlier this year, the High Court quashed a Bord Pleanála decision giving the go-ahead for the €600 million City Ring Road, because the Board did not consider the Climate Action Plan when they approved the project.

According to Oranmore area councillor, Liam Carroll, €33 million has already been spent on the Ring Road project. “I hope that is not a black hole,” he said.

In her Dáil question to Minister Ryan, Deputy Connolly, asked about the status of the preparations for carrying out the promised feasibility study of light rail in Galway.

She also wanted to know the status and membership of the specialist team involved in the updating of the Galway Transport Strategy over the coming months.