Decision due next month on Û20m transport plan

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAMGalway City Council will learn within the next three weeks if it has been successful in its bid to secure almost €20 million in funding under the Government’s ‘Smarter Travel’ initiative.

A decision on the funding – which is aimed at introducing sustainable transport methods throughout the city and its suburbs – will be made in mid-October.

A spokesperson said the Council is still hopeful that it will be granted the €19.8m funding from an overall pot of €50m.

The funds will go towards the Action Plan for the Galway Metropolitan Smarter Travel Area – which includes the city, Oranmore, Barna and Claregalway – which has been costed at just under €26.5m.

While €19.8m has been sought from the Department of Transport, a further investment worth €6.6m has been proposed jointly by the City and County Councils.

“We are hopeful about the Smarter Travel bid. If it turned out that the funding came through, it would inform the future of transport and traffic policies in Galway.

“It was a very strong bid that was put together by the Council, we’re happy that it’s still in play, and all we can do is hope,” the spokesperson said.

The Smarter Travel initiative is designed to provide funding that can be used for the implementation of policies to increase the use of walking, cycling and use of rail and buses for commuting to and travelling around the city.

A critical part of the City Council’s submission is a major overhaul of the public transport network with Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) crossing the city on a direct east-west axis, aimed at massively increasing bus usage in the city.

Also included in the plan is the construction of a new coastal ‘green lane’ from Renmore to Silver Strand for pedestrians and cyclists.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.