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Irish Times

Galway, city of the traffic

Sir, – The time has come for a real conversation – and real investment – around a future that does not centre around the private motorcar. Since the 1960s, car dependency has been seen as synonymous with progress. Yet, what we have ended up nurturing – particularly in Galway – is a costly and deeply damaging transportation model. The car, now taken for granted 'as much as an overcoat', has become a beloved but destructive force, responsible for pollution, lost productivity and urban paralysis. Galway now ranks as the most congested city in Ireland and in the top 4 per cent of 1,000 cities worldwide for congestion. According to Inrix Reports, Galwegians spend the equivalent of more than four full days annually commuting to work in cars. Authorities estimate the cost of traffic-related pollution at €35 million a year; the real figure is likely far higher. READ MORE Despite repeated warnings and studies – such as the MVA Traffic Report (2009), the Galway Transport Strategy (2016) and the more recent Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS) – all remain ignored or shelved. Infrastructure investment in Galway and the northwest is shockingly low, despite the region housing nearly a fifth of the national population. The imbalance in national investment is as much a failure of political representation as it is one of vision. Traffic in Galway is not just an inconvenience, it is actively choking the city's economic and social potential. It hampers access to work, healthcare, education and social life. The impact on mental health, family time, fuel costs and air quality cannot be overstated. And all the while, the proposed solution – light rail – remains in political limbo. Light rail offers a transformative, sustainable alternative. It would drastically reduce car dependency, cut emissions, support compact urban growth and improve quality of life. Its success globally is well documented. In cities across Europe and beyond, trams are revitalising public transport networks, regenerating urban areas and increasing property values. Critically, the National Transport Authority has already declared light rail to be viable for Galway. With population growth projected to reach 122,000 by 2040, the urgency is undeniable. A light railway system would not merely serve commuters; it would also anchor a new model of development for Galway. It would enable the creation of walkable, vibrant urban villages where people live, work and socialise without being forced into a car. It would encourage infill development and reduce sprawl. With modern innovations, Galway could implement such a system for as little as €15 million to €20 million per kilometre, a wise long-term investment in our future. Galway deserves better. Our city's congestion is not an accident, but a failure of leadership, vision and planning. It is time to embrace a transport model that puts people, not cars, at its centre. – Yours, etc, MURT COLEMAN, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin