Better infrastructure of roads is vital

THE confirmation of Galway’s gateway status was an open secret so the celebrations have been short-lived.

All attention has turned to attracting the investment needed to carry out the National Spatial Strategy.

The investment should be at the expense of Dublin if necessary, according to the Galway Chamber of Commerce.

“In the book of estimates, we didn’t see many projects being cut on the eastern seaboard. But in the west, there were several definitely put on hold. Galway needs to be re-prioritised for funding,” chief executive Michael Coyle said.

Construction on the Ennis bypass needs to begin urgently. “At the moment, the Ennis bypass has been put on hold. It can take up to two hours to get from Galway to Shannon airport and that’s unacceptable,” Mr Coyle said.

The National Development Plan is due to be reviewed in 2003 and Mr Coyle said this will be crucial. “We need positive discrimination in favour of investment in job creation. Galway needs new access routes and a bigger investment in tourism and culture.”

The Lord Mayor of Galway said investment was the crucial aspect of the strategy. “The publication of the National Spatial Strategy has confirmed what we already knew. We need the necessary road infrastructure to develop. Compared to Dublin, our population of 65,000 is relatively small,” said Councillor Donal Lyons.

Galway has seen major development over the last decade and now attracts workers from as far away as Claremorris in Co Mayo and Ballinasloe in east Galway.

Mr Lyons said more road infrastructure was vital, especially the proposed dual carriageway from Tuam to Galway and the outer city bypass.