Last objector withdraws action over Galway city ring road

The last remaining objector to a proposed ring road in Galway city has withdrawn a High Court challenge questioning elements of the planned route.

The move means that all applications seeking judicial reviews of the An Coimisiún Pleanála decision to approve the road have now been abandoned.

The planning authority gave the green light for the route last April, after considering remitted information, submitted by Galway City and County Councils.

The road will run from the end of the existing M6 motorway to a location west of the village of Bearna.

Objections by three homeowners were withdrawn following discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local authorities in Galway, in recent weeks.

Now, active travel campaigner Shane Foran has dropped his challenge, after securing agreement in relation to his concerns about the implications the project would have on a number of minor routes close to the planned development.

He was worried about the impact of increased traffic volumes on the Headford, Ballymoneen and Letteragh Roads, particularly in relation to vulnerable road users.

Mr Foran said he is satisfied that a pledge to "progress the possibility of providing high quality" walking and cycling facilities on the roads in question can alleviate his concerns.

In light of the active travel commitments agreed following mediation, Mr Foran said he is withdrawing his challenge.

Plans to construct the 18km ring road, aimed at easing traffic gridlock in Galway, have been slow to advance since they were first proposed over a decade ago.

While approval for the route was initially given in 2022, this was later quashed, when it emerged that An Coimisiún Pleanála had not considered the impact the development would have on the State's Climate Action Plan.

Galway County and City Councils submitted revised environmental analysis and data, which was finally adjudicated upon by An Coimisiún Pleanála last April.

Funding of around €1 billion has been earmarked for the construction of the road, which is expected to take around three years to complete.

Critical infrastructure

The project has been designated as critical infrastructure by the Government, meaning that public bodies are charged with accelerating decisions to bring it to fruition.

The avoidance of further legal challenges has been welcomed by the Department of Transport, which said it gives certainty about the next steps in relation to the development of the route.

CEO of TII Lorcan O'Connor, described it as a "welcome and significant milestone" in the effort to construct the road. certainty for the delivery of the Galway City Ring Road, a project of critical importance to Galway and the wider western region.

The N6 Galway City Ring Road will comprise 12.5km of motorway from the existing M6, before continuing as single carriageway road past Bearna.

Proponents of the road said it is a vital part of a wider plan to improve the flow of traffic in and around Galway city.

They cited the potential for public and active travel initiatives, as a result of reduced traffic volume on the city centre road network.

Opponents of the plan expressed concern at the carbon emissions that would result during both construction and operational phases, as well as an absence of alternative options in relation to enhanced public transport for city residents.