A PLANNING application for the development of three park-and-ride locations on approach roads to Galway city – with a capacity for over 1,100 cars – is expected to be lodged by the middle of next year, it was confirmed this week.

In a submission to Galway City Council, the National Roads Authority (NTA) outlined their plans for park-and-ride sites to be located north of Claregalway (N83 or the old N17); where the M6 motorways merges into the N6; and at Oranmore Railway Station.

Senior NTA representatives, who made a presentation to the City Council at their meeting on Monday, outlined that the biggest capacity facility – 550 spaces – would be at a yet to be confirmed location close to where the M6 merges into the N6 dual carriageway. (Near the roundabout for the Claregalway/Oranmore exits).

The second biggest facility would be located north of Claregalway and close to Loughgeorge with 320 spaces to be provided – however, the NTA pointed out, that in both of those sites, bus priority and better bus services would be essential to the success of the projects.

A third ‘short-term’ target for the NTA’s park-and-ride plans is an increase in parking spaces at the existing Irish Rail carpark at Oranmore Railway Station with capacity moving from 140 to 280 spaces, complemented by a more frequent train service.

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