Galway Chamber of Commerce has released its election manifesto, calling on candidates and voters alike to Get Galway Moving and tackle traffic congestion.
Traffic is not a new issue in Galway, but there are fears that the problem could get even worse. The National Development Plan forecasts that the population of Galway City will grow by 50% by 2040.
At present just 38% of trips in the city are made using sustainable travel Galway Chamber says, saying that there is an urgent need to improve transport infrastructure in a way that will encourage a reduction in car use.
Galway Chamber’s members represent almost 25,000 people working in Galway and 78% of members ranked Accessibility as their first or second priority.
Beyond just addressing traffic congestion, Get Galway Moving focuses on multiple areas which Galway Chamber says are crucial to making the city a more liveable and economically viable place.
Galway Chamber has focused on five priority areas for its manifesto, including
- Accessibility: The ability to get into and around the city and county is vital for society & the economy. Traffic congestion is choking Galway.
- Sustainability: Address climate change, its impact on society and increase the use of Green Energy throughout Galway.
- Liveability: Make Galway the best place in Ireland in which to live, learn work and to visit.
- Economic Viability: To achieve the growth targets of PI2040 Galway must increase its attractiveness for international, national and local businesses.
- Accountability: Policy decisions on Galway’s immediate environment should be made in Galway by those accountable to its people.
Speaking on the Get Galway Moving campaign Galway Chamber President Dave Hickey commented, “It’s a call to all candidates in Galway West to pledge support to the detailed aims at making Galway the best place in Ireland in which to live, learn, work and to visit.”
“It’s about more than addressing traffic congestion. It’s a call to help make improvements to all aspects of Galway society: to Get Galway Moving for everyone.”
Hickey said that the recent announcement of 1,000 potential homes on the Sandy Road, and the upcoming oral hearing on the ring road are positive signs, but that more needs to be done as a matter of urgency.
