From the Galway City Tribune – Officials from the National Transport Authority (NTA) will unveil grand plans this September for Park & Ride facilities in Galway City.

The pledge comes after several city councillors expressed grave concern about the lack of progress on developing permanent Park & Ride east or west of the city.

Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Brendan McGrath, said the NTA has been working on plans for Park & Ride in Galway for the past number of months.

He said they would bring proposals to the next City Council meeting in September, or October by the latest, for consideration by elected members.

Mr McGrath said it would be premature to outline plans to councillors before they are finalised ahead of that Council meeting.

Councillor Colette Connolly (Ind) wanted a stronger wording and specific objective inserted into the new City Development Plan that would strengthen the case for Park & Ride.

Mr McGrath said the wording in the draft plan, and previous plans, was sufficient to support the roll-out of Park & Ride in the city.

Councillor Mike Cubbard (Ind) expressed similar fears to Cllr Connolly that Park & Ride had been included in previous plans but had not materialised.

He said that Park & Ride “is not just for Christmas”, and should be all-year round, on the east and west of the city.

Cllr Cubbard said he was concerned that Park & Ride would be included in the development plan but, like previous plans, not be acted upon. Action was needed, he insisted.

Councillor Frank Fahy (FG) said church car parks could be used temporarily for Park & Ride facilities.

He said the Council or NTA could negotiate with churches on bus routes to provide parking spaces to commuters who could park and ride into the city centre.

He referenced church car parks in Bearna, Knocknacarra, Ballybane, Mervue, Renmore and a site at the Castlegar complex. It would be low cost and could be trialled immediately if the will was there, he said.

Councillor Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) advised that the Renmore church car park was used by teachers of a nearby school, and it had “no room for Park & Ride”.

Mr McGrath previously indicated that part of a 7.5-acre site purchased by the Council adjacent to Cappagh Park could be used for a Park & Ride.