Lobby group again rejects case for 'grandiose' bypass

BY FRANK FARRAGHER

The case for the city’s outer bypass route is unproven until “the simple solutions” such as park-and-ride and improved public transport have been tried, according to a local community based organisation opposing the new road and bridge.

Hands Across the Corrib group (HAC) – made up of residents and community representatives from both sides of the river – said that it rejected the notion of a “small group of high powered people” seeking to influence a case before the European Court of Justice.

Their response comes after it emerged earlier this month that a high powered delegation of industrial, business and political representatives – led by Deputy Frank Fahey –  met with the environment section of the European Commission to try and ‘fast forward’ the case of the City Outer Bypass.

In a statement issued this week, HAC said that simple solutions they had put forward 10 years ago had yet to be addressed in a meaningful way.

These include park-and-ride, mini-roundabout, one way systems, synchronised traffic lights, facilities for cyclists and improved public transport.

They claim that 11 years ago, the bypass project was costed at €47m but this had now risen to €370m, with €20m already spent.“Had the time, energy and finance spent to date, been invested in public transport, we would now have an efficient system in operation,” said HAC.

The group also claim that the proposed GLUAS light rail system would solve the city’s transport problems as well as being economic, efficient and environmentally friendly.

“The pro-bypass lobby need to recognise that no funding will be available for the foreseeable future; that realistically it will be a toll private-public project; that the Limerick Tunnel is only being used by 50% of the projected traffic; and that the Buchanan report stated that 80% of cross-town traffic in Galway was commuter and would not be served by the bypass,” said HAC.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.