County Council backs next stage of GLUAS plans

That caveat did not concern GLUAS campaigner Brendan Mulligan, who said he was "delighted" with the wide range of support from councillors.

"We couldn't be more delighted," he said.

"So many of them spoke up in favour of GLUAS and we really appreciate that. This is the future for Galway city and county. This would be transformative. We have to have it and we can't get it soon enough."

Mr Mulligan said that while they were concerned the GLUAS project might be pushed back due to delays to the N6 Galway City Ring Road, they were not against the ring road itself.

"We need a range of different solutions in Galway," he said.

"The ring road can play a part and light rail will play a part. They are not alternatives, they could be complementary to one another."

He said the vote in the County Chamber, following a motion proposed by Cllr Declan Kelly (Ind Ire), showed the importance of the light rail system not only for the city but for the county.

"County Councillors realise this is important for the county, for people to get into hospital appointments, to get to the universities, to do their shopping. It is not about the city. It is about the whole county,” he said.

Meanwhile, supporter Enda McGovern said light rail is badly needed due to chronic congestion and the impact this is having on families.

"It's about the quality of life that is needed for families in the county and the city," he said.

"Families today can't leave their house, or they are leaving an hour earlier because they don't know if they will get there. We need this. The rest of the country is getting it and Galway needs it badly."

And fellow campaigner Seamus McManus also highlighted his concerns about traffic congestion and the accessibility a light rail system would bring.

"We are terribly worried about traffic and how chocked the city is," he said.

" It is stressing everyone out. We think it would be a fantastic thing, for access to housing out along the line, to help students to get more available and cost affective housing and have good access to services."

At the meeting, Cllr Kelly highlighted the light rail system in Dijon, France, which was built in four years and is the "envy of any State planning Department".

He called for full support from all councillors, saying the city is "choked wiht traffic" and describing GLUAS as "a visionary project".

Cllr James Charity (FG) requested that Park and Ride locations also be considered in conjunction with planning for GLUAS.

He called for an update from the NTA on previous sites identified for potential Park and Ride facilities in areas of the county.

Independent Ireland Cllr Declan Geraghty urged campaigners to "keep fighting" as he called for "someone with vision to pursue these matters".

"Keep fighting," he said. "You will be like Mayo, you will get there."

Chief Executive Liam Conneally said the light rail proposal would be put to the NTA as part of deliberations on the review of GMATS.

"We need to look at all modes of transport," he said.

"There are significant benefits out of us investigating all of the feasabilities, including light rail.

"I am particularly interesteded in how light rail will benefit the Galway Metropolitan Area and we will put it to the NTA as part of delierations on the review of the Galway Transport Strategy."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.