Chapter 6: Transport and Movement

6.1 Headford Small Growth Town        

Section 6.3.6.    Town Centre/Retail   p.29

Proposed amendment or inclusion:

The following statement contained is incorrect as, since the closure of Keady’s supermarket, there is now only one supermarket available in Headford. 

‘The residents to the east and western parts of the town are well served by two supermarkets.’

Rationale:

The draft statement is incorrect.

 

6.1 Headford Small Growth Town  HSGT  6    Tourism Development p.31

(Land use Zoning Policy Objectives for Headford) 

Proposed amendment or inclusion:

Include the Curraghline - N84 Cycleway proposal as practical example to the Draft Plan statement:

‘Promote and facilitate the further development of Headford as a sustainable tourist destination for the benefit of the Town and its surrounding areas.’  

 The promotion of local cycling routes throughout the local area and signage/designation of such routes should be prioritised for the safe use of the roads and developing Headford as a sustainable tourist destination.

Rationale:

This was unanimously supported by Galway’s County Councillors, to fund a feasibility study to examine the development potential of a cycleway and greenway from the Galway city to Headford.

This will also be in line with the following UN Sustainable Development Goal:

 SDG 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons

 

 

6.1.Headford Small Town Growth . 6. 4. 3 Transportation Infrastructure and Movement p.30

Also

HSGT 10      Preparation of a Revised Traffic Management Plan p.32

Proposed amendment or inclusion:

On a county wide basis, we would like to see an improved public transport services, more affordable and convenient services and more infrastructure for cycling and walking. A gradual switch over to electric buses for these services is envisaged.

In terms of Headford as a commuter town, transport to Galway is key to reducing commuter traffic. To a lesser extent, the same can be said for towns in Mayo, Ballinrobe, Castlebar, etc.

We would like to see the following points addressed or facilitated within the development plan:

1. The provision/support/funding for electric bus public transport incorporating: 

1. A regular bus service directly to and from Tuam (especially as some Govt and transport services are located in Tuam).
2. A park and ride facility, to reduce the need for more road infrastructure in Galway, and alleviate commuter traffic problems.
3. The installation of bus shelters in Headford town, and at better-used stops on the routes, to make public transport more appealing to use in bad weather.
4. In Headford, we would welcome the idea of green roofs on top of bus shelters, as this would increase habitat and food for pollinating insects, and comply with the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, and be an addition to our Pollinator Trail, and as mentioned in Headford Biodiversity Plan. https://mymodernmet.com/leicester-green-roof-bee-bus-stops/

 

1. Sustainable transport infrastructure including:

1. N84 Greenway – Installation of a walking/cycle way across the bog at the Curraghline, N84. 
2. Eco tourism – Headford is well placed as a location for cyclists from Galway and Cong/Mayo to stop and take a break. Future development of the town as a Heritage Lace-Making town would benefit from this, as would local businesses
3. Footpaths -Installation of footpath/cycleway infrastructure along the N84 from main routes out of Headford including expansion of cycle/walk ways to the Black River and Ross Errilly.
4. Provision of EV charging points. - Headford presently only has one, slightly outside of the town at Joyce’s Hardware.

Rationale:

According to the EPA, 20.2% of Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions are caused by transport. To prevent at least some of this, we need to change to using more public transport, and more electric vehicles rather than relying on fossil fuels.

In line with the Climate Action Plan 2019:

• To encourage use of public transport
• To encourage uptake of Electric Vehicles
• To reduce CO2 emissions from public transport and private vehicles
• To develop Headford as an eco-tourism destination

 In line with the following UN SDGs:

SDG 3, Good Health and Wellbeing: “Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages” SDG 11, Sustainable Communities:  “Make cities and human development inclusive safe, resilient and sustainable”

SDG 13, Climate Action: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects”.

 

Sources

https://sdgs.un.org/goals/

 

Section 6.3.4 Environment and Heritage p.28.

 This section recognises the built and natural heritage in the town of Headford “The various streams and rivers such as the Headford River and the Annacurta Stream in the plan area function as ecological corridors before they drain into a designated site – Lough Corrib SAC, pNHA & SPA.  Trees  and  hedgerows  are  also  of  high  local  biodiversity  value  and  contribute  to  ecological  connectivity” .

 

Proposed amendment or inclusion:

Concurring with the considerable value of our natural and built heritage, we are calling for the application of Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) on the remaining ‘estate’ trees, most notably two very ancient, pollarded lime trees in the Demesne. These are mentioned in Headford Biodiversity Plan 2017-2020, as being significant. There is also a large stand of trees in the Demesne, in what was the Orchard of the estate, Demesne.

Rationale:

This will add further protection to the historical character of the Demesne, (so benefitting tourism), and also retain the biodiversity in the town.  To our knowledge, County Galway has no protected trees at present, with even the famous tree at Coole Park having no TPO. We see this as a useful tool with which to preserve our biodiversity and natural heritage, and would urge Galway County Council to avail of this mechanism around the county.

This complies with SDG 15, Life on Land: Protect restore and promote sustainable us of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

 

 

Galway County Council has the objective of creating good infrastructure in all parts of the County. Significant development of the road network, in many parts of the County, in recent years, has brought about a substantial improvement in connectivity. 

The western part of the county continues to be impacted by substandard roads that leave many communities – some of which are a long distance from necessary services such as employment, essential services, and hospitals- at a serious disadvantage in terms of infrastructure.   Galway County Council is mindful of the need to substantially improve the road network in Connemara and has made attempts to do that, some of which have not met with success mainly on environmental grounds.

Given the notable improvement in roads in other parts of the County, it is now the intention of Galway County Council to focus on a total upgrade of the part of the N. 59 in Connemara and on the development of a new R. 336 road from Bearna to Screebe in the Development Plan 2022-2028, and a total upgrade of the R. 340 road which is a vital link between the R. 336 and the N. 59 in the West Connemara Gaeltacht.   Roads of a lower grading in the National Transport hierarchy in Connemara will also be focused on.

There are a number of motorways (M6/M17/M18) and national routes which provide excellent access routes into and out of the county which are extremely important in terms of the economic and social development. At a more local level there are a number of regional and local roads which provide connectivity between towns and villages and their wider rural hinterlands.

 

Proposed amendment or inclusion:

The main regional road (R336) from Galway city to An Spidéal and towards Ros a mhíl port is unable to cope given the amount of traffic on the road and is totally unsuitable to sharing the Narrow road space with vehicles and cyclists. It is hazardous for both vehicles and cyclists at present during the day .We request in the absence of the proposed new Coastal road  and or a plan to widen the R336 that Bicycle use on the road be restricted to single cyclists only( organised group of cyclists be curtailed altogether until road is widened with cycle path) in limited hours in early daylight and after 7pm,Work to commence without delay on  the Footpath along the roadside from city boundary at Bearna church as phase 1 to be widened to accommodate pedestrians and  cyclists as a matter of urgency to save lives as accidents will occur due to the increase in Bicycle use. Car traffic on the R336 can be reduced by further improving the Bus service and reducing the high price of fares even with a Leap card and providing Free Parking and Bus Service from inside the City Boundary. We also propose all school children in the Bearna to An Spidéal areas and travelling to local schools or schools in the City area must use a bus until the Galway Ring road is constructed 

 

Rationale:

Communities in this area are unable to wait until the Curve of Galway Road, New Road to Rosamhíl or Greenway to the seafront for cycling and walking. The Road is too narrow to accommodate cycling as well as vehicles and too busy on throughout the day. If the R336 Road is improved there will be accidents and fatalities.