BREAKING: Planning permission for Galway City Ring Road is approved
An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved planning permission for the N6 Galway City Ring Road.
The long-awaited decision that could have major implications for Galway and the West of Ireland has been welcomed by Government.
An official announcement is due later this morning (April 9).
Minister of State Noel Grealish hailed the decision “as a victory for common sense and vital to the future of Galway and its people”.
The Galway West Independent TD said that the priority now was to get the project off the ground as soon as possible – and he expressed the hope that there would be no further legal challenges to the 18km orbital route stretching from the end of the M6 motorway at Coolagh to a point west of Bearna village.
“There can be few infrastructural projects that have ever gone through such rigorous examination as the Galway City Ring Road – every aspect of it has been put under the microscope and the highest planning authority in the land is satisfied that it meets all environmental and other standards,” he said.
Galway West TD John Connolly (FF) described the decision as “a turning point in tackling the city’s congestion issues”.
“This is a hugely significant decision and a real moment of progress for Galway. After years of delay, we now have a clear route forward to deliver the transport infrastructure our city urgently needs.
“Galway’s traffic problems are not abstract. They impact people’s daily lives, their time, their work and their overall quality of life. This decision provides real hope that change is finally coming,” Deputy Connolly said.
Senator Seán Kyne, Fine Gael’s candidate in the Galway West bye-election said: “This is a historic day for the people of Galway city, Connemara and the West of Ireland. This approval has been a long time coming and I know how much it means to the thousands of people who sit in gridlock every day while trying to get to work, bring their children to school or make a hospital appointment on time.”
*SEE THIS WEEK’S GALWAY CITY TRIBUNE FOR FULL DETAILS