Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway Chamber says An Bord Pleanala’s refusal of permission for a new link road at Parkmore is ‘a serious blow to business.’
Chair of the Galway Chamber Traffic and Transportation Committee, Dr Chris Coughlan, says he’s shocked by the decision.
He says the proposed link road, while not expected to solve all the traffic problems, would have been an excellent start.
Planning permission was granted by the county council in April for the new link road which the IDA had hoped would alleviate some of the congestion experienced at peak times.
However, that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála which has ruled that the project be rejected.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – A plan for a mixed-use development in Claregalway has hit a roadblock.
John Coyle of Cahergowan had been granted planning permission for the development at Summerfield with 18 conditions attached.
However this has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála with concerns over access to the development.
The plan to build a mixed-use commercial complex at Summerfield involves replacing the existing commercial buildings.
The development would involve the construction of a new entrance from the N17, and the demolition of the existing two-storey pub, restaurant and taxi office.
The demolished building would be replaced by a new two-storey building which would include a pub and restaurant, a bookmakers office, a taxi office, and a commercial/retail unit at ground floor level.
The first floor would consist of four commercial office units and a deck amenity area.
The development would also include the demolition of a kiosk associated with the filling station, the existing bookie’s office, the garage at ground floor level and the residential accommodation above it.
A new revised filling station, forecourt and three storey building with a shop and deli with seating and offices above would also be built.
A third new block would consist of commercial units on the ground floor and an apartment at first floor level.
The complex was approved by Galway County Council last month with 12 conditions.
However this decision has now been appealed by a third party with concerns over the access point off the N17 and the potential traffic hazard.
An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision in January.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – 7,500 farmers across Galway are to share 6 million euro in funding.
The payments have been allocated under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, and will be paid out in the coming weeks.
The scheme gives financial support to island farmers, and those in mountainous or otherwise challenging areas.
Nationally, 140 million euro will be provided to farmers across Ireland.
Senator Maura Hopkins says the funding will provide a welcome boost to farmers in Galway and Roscommon who have been affected by wet conditions this summer.

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A new report published today claims that speeding is a major concern in the Parkmore area.
Campaign group Cosain says it has carried out five speed surveys using a commercially-available radar speed gun.
It claims the survey found “an extremely low level of compliance” with the 50 km/h speed limit in Hazelwood, Parkmore.
The group further claims that two of the surveys recorded maximum speeds in excess of 100 km/h.
Cosain says drivers are engaging in “highly dangerous behaviour, aggravating what is already a hostile environment for pedestrians and cyclists.”
Group spokesperson Simon Comer says speeding has been an endemic problem in the area for several years.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – An information event to explain the language planning process that is outlined for the Gaeltacht Service Towns will take place in the city this evening. (Wed 21/9)
The meeting is aimed at committees, organisations and other interested groups operating in the city.
Representatives from Foras na Gaeilge, the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs and Údarás na Gaeltachta will attend.
The information event gets underway at the Harbour Hotel at New Dock Road at 8 this evening.

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The NPWS has made a committment to examine sections of the N59 in a bid to reach agreement on the long-awaited upgrade of the road.
It follows a high level meeting between senior officials at Galway County Council and representatives from the state agency.
The finger has long been pointed at the NPWS for persistent and lengthy delays on what’s frequently been described as the worst national road in Ireland.
An Bord Pleanala refused permission in May for the long-awaited upgrade to the N59 between Maam Cross and Clifden due to environmental concerns.
However, permission has been granted for the upgrade of the road between Oughterard and Maam Cross with strict conditions – this section was the subject of a recent meeting between County Council officials and the NPWS.
The state agency has now agreed to examine parts of the route in a bid to reach an agreement on method statements and chart a way forward for upgrade works.
They’ll be focusing on the stretch from Maam Cross to Bunnakill in particular – and are set to return to the table in two to three weeks with clarifications.
Meanwhile, the County Council says it is currently examining the reasons for the refusal of the N59 from Maam Cross to Clifden – and is assessing the best way forward.
Director of Services Liam Gavin says due to the potential infringement of areas designated as SAC, some stretches of the road may not be widened as planned.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway city council has moved to allay fears concerning a large quantity of waste illegally dumped along the Cappagh Road.
An investigation was launched last week after a local land-owner discovered the material dumped at several locations on the Boleybeg end of the road.
It’s understood some of the waste included used medical gloves and gowns which were sealed in bags.
A number of containers were also dumped as well as some household waste.
In a statement to Galway Bay fm News, Galway City Council says the waste dumped at the Cappagh Road is not quite as hazardous in nature as previously feared.
It launched an investigation after a land-owner discovered the material dumped in ditches along the Cappagh Road late last Thursday evening.
An internal investigation is ongoing.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom -The goverment has published a fire safety report on Traveller accommodation in Galway and across the country.
It shows that fire safety works have been carried out at less than half of Galway Traveller accommodation units.
The report is part of a national audit ordered in the wake of the Carrickmines tragedy, in which 10 people died at a temporary halting site in Dublin.
Earlier this year, Galway City and County Councils completed fire safety audits of Traveller accommodation across Galway, which were submitted to the Department of the Environment.
The department has now published its report on the matter.
The report says 59 official Traveller accommodation units across Galway, and 17 temporary units have been audited for fire safety by Galway’s local authorities.
4 unofficial Traveller accommodation units in the city were also assessed.
Fire safety works have been carried out at 21 units across the city and county.
It also shows that Galway city and county council have annual pre-incident planning in place for Traveller-specific accommodation.
Nationally, the absence of a working smoke alarm was identified as an issue in 81% of accommodation units appraised.
77% of these have been supplied with a smoke alarms as of the 1st July.
The lack of a working carbon monoxide alarm was identified as an issue in 83% of units appraised across Ireland.
Of these, 69% have now been supplied with a carbon monoxide alarm.

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Galway City Council is being criticised for a lack of communication about road closures in the city centre today. as part of ‘In Town Without My Car’ (or ‘Car Free’) Day.
Forster Street, Eglinton Street and Williamsgate Street are all closed to traffic until 4p.m.

The Council made an order that the three roads are closed to all traffic except buses, taxis and hackneys, between 10am and 4pm. Cyclists and pedestrians are also able to access those streets.
Councillor Padraig Conneely says he only received confirmation of the closures after he investigated the matter when he received a call from an irate motorist this morning.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Housing agency Cluid is to build a new social housing development and community facility in Ballinasloe.
The planned development at Dunlo would involve the construction of 17 single-storey homes and a communal facility for older people.
The community facility would include a meeting room, office, and ancillary accommodation for the proposed building.
The development also includes two new vehicle entrances, provision of parking, drainage and landscaping.
Cluid is seeking a construction firm to carry out the works.
The deadline for submission of tenders to the housing body is Friday October 21st.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Traffic light issues are causing problems at a busy city junction today.
The lights at the major junction at the Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road are not operating correctly due to a software issue.
The smart light sensors, which read the amount of cars waiting at the junction, are not working properly.
As a result, the light sequencing is out, leading to delays.
Galway City Council says it’s working to resolve the issue, but the problems are likely to continue for the rest of the day.
A staff member has been appointed to the city’s high-tech Traffic Control Unit, and is manually overriding the light sequence, based on traffic levels at the junction.
The council says if the matter cannot be resolved quickly, it may need to return to the manufacturer in a bid to find a solution to the software issue.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – The City Council has admitted that its plans to close some city streets today as part of ‘European No Car Day’ were not publicised as widely as it had hoped.
The local authority is being criticised for a lack of communication about the proposed closures.
Forster Street, Eglinton Street and Williamsgate Street are all closed to traffic until 4p.m, but buses and taxis can still use the routes.
The Council has organised a city cycle this afternoon to promote the method of travel as it announces an expansion of the Coke Zero Bike Scheme.
9 new bike stations will be substantially complete by the end of the year, including 3 stations across the NUIG campus as well as one at Nimmo’s Pier.
However, Councillor Padraig Conneely says there was not enough information for motorists about the road closures in the city.
The City Council says the plan to close the streets was published in local newspapers, on the council’s website and on social media in recent days.
However, the local authority has admitted that notice of the closures were not circulated as widely as it had hoped.

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President Michael D. Higgins is to be asked to immediately declare South Galway a ‘Flood Disaster Zone’ in an effort to fast-track flood defences.
At this week’s meeting of Galway County Council, Councillor Michael Fahy pointed the finger at ‘red tape’ and the NPWS – for what he called inexcusable ‘dilly-dallying’ in developing flood relief works.
He proposed a motion that the local authority write to President Higgins immediately asking that he declare the region a disaster zone and pave the way for works to take place immediately.
His colleagues agreed with the motion and the executive will now draft a letter to be sent to Áras an Uachtaráin.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Plans have been approved for managed student accommodation on Fairgreen Road in the city.
It comes as fears grow that the student accommodation crisis is deepening in Galway.
CWC Webworks Limited can now proceed with a five-storey block on a site with a total gross floor space of 5 thousand 700 square metres.
The development would be a 6-storey block in total, including ground floor level providing for managed student accommodation and associated facilities.
The ground level would be an extension of the existing coach station at Fairgreen Road which has been previously granted planning permission.
The accommodation will be made up of 46 units ranging from 1 to 6 bed units, providing a total bed space of 147 within the block.
Communal areas would also be provided.
City planners have attached 19 conditions.
A landscape and amenity scheme is to be provided for the courtyard area and 60 cycle parking spaces are to be provided onsite.
Full detail of the proposed wall boundary with ‘The Elms’ is also to be submitted to the planning authority.

Photograph: http://www.ocsc.ie

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The Minister for Transport says solving the city’s traffic problems – and issues with rural transport – is among his top priorities.
The matter has been raised at a meeting of the Oireachtas transport committee.
Senator Pádraig O’Céidigh, who’s from Spiddal, says Galway city’s traffic problems are leading to increased unemployment in Connemara.
He says it takes longer to get from Spiddal to Galway Racecourse than it does to the get from the racecourse to Dublin, and a bypass is badly needed.
Senator O’Céidigh says people are spending up to 10 hours a week travelling to and from work, and the Minister has to intervene.
He also brought up the issue of the N59 – which he says is causing huge problems for people living and working west of the Corrib.
Roscommon Galway TD Eugene Murphy reiterated Senator O’Ceidigh’s concerns, and said Galway traffic congestion issues are causing serious problems.
In his response to the two Galway representatives, Transport Minister Shane Ross said a review of capital spending will be carried out next year.
He says major traffic projects for Galway are among the Department of Transport’s top priorities.
In reponse to concerns over the quality of the transport infrastructure in rural Galway, Minister Ross said it’s a concern across Ireland, and the government has a plan in place to address the issue.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Emergency services are at the scene of a three car crash on the Quincentenary Bridge in the city.
The incident happened shortly after 4pm.
Gardaí say no-one has been seriously injured in the crash.
The bridge is down to one lane westbound while crews work to clear the road, and significant delays are expected.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Social Protection Minister has arrived in the city, where he’s visiting the Galway Intreo office. (10am)
Minister Leo Varadkar is meeting with the staff at the office, which provides employment services and income supports.
This afternoon, the minister will visit the South Galway MABS office at Quay Street.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service helps people to manage their funds, and also provides assistance and support to people in debt or mortgage arrears.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Simon Coveney is also en route to Galway – he’ll visit Threshold’s new Tenancy Protection Office at Prospect Hill at 2.30 this afternoon.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – A man has been taken to University Hospital Galway following a road traffic crash in Mervue.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at the junction of Walter Macken Road and the Ballybane road around 8 this morning.
The crash involved a car and a motorbike.
Emergency Services attended the scene and the motorcyclist was subsequently taken to UHG.
The extent of his injuries are not yet known and anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Mill Street Garda Station at 091-538000.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Consultants at University Hospital Galway are being urged to speak out against the health crisis facing the hospital.
Deputy Catherine Connolly says it’s shameful that UHG is designated a ‘centre of excellence’ while chronic overcrowding, cancellations and under-staffing are rife.
She claims that while the INMO are doing an excellent job at maintaining pressure on the government, consultants are failing to follow suit.
The independent deputy says the situation has steadily worsened over the past two decades and the public is being forced to accept an inadequate health service as ‘normal’.
She argues that successive Government’s have continued to distance themselves from a health service they consider an ‘unsolvable problem’.
Deputy Connolly says consultants at UHG have a duty to speak out.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Traffic light issues at a busy city junction have been resolved.
The lights at the major junction at the Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road were not operating correctly due to a software issue.
The smart light sensors, which read the amount of cars waiting at the junction, were not working properly, leading to delays.
Galway City Council says the issue has now been resolved, and it will continue to monitor the situation.

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