All those visiting Vancouver for the #WorldCup and cheering our public transit, walkable downtown, & vibrant waterfront, might be interested to know that almost everything noteworthy about our city-building began with the turning point rejection of the freeways that lobotomized so many other cities.
June 17, 2026 at 8:19 AM
April 10, 2026 at 11:59 AM
If someone chooses to live in a smaller home in the inner city in part to avoid a long commute, they generally don’t pressure society to build them a bigger house with more stuff. So if you choose a bigger stuff-filled house in the suburbs, don’t expect society to build you a fast car commute.
January 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Let's all keep pretending that the bloated white elephant known as the #GalwayCityRingRoad could be constructed for, say, €1.5 billion by the year 2030.
Shropshire Council will be asked to formally cancel the long-anticipated Shrewsbury North West Relief Road project when councillors meet on 26 February, after an internal report concluded the scheme is unaffordable following sharp rises in projected costs
Full story:
Full story:
Shropshire Council to cancel Shrewsbury North West Relief Road as costs double to £162M | New Civil Engineer
The recommendation covers the Department for Transport (DfT)‑funded section between Holyhead Road and Battlefield. A separate western section, known as
buff.ly
March 1, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Let's all keep pretending that the bloated white elephant known as the #GalwayCityRingRoad could be constructed for, say, €1.5 billion by the year 2030.
There is precisely NOTHING in the #GalwayCityRingRoad proposal that could be described as "multi-modal".
The plan was very recently approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála, and to suggest that the design can be radically changed now, with no further delay, is just pie in the sky.
The plan was very recently approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála, and to suggest that the design can be radically changed now, with no further delay, is just pie in the sky.
The Galway Ring Road must be delivered after years of delay, but it cannot be just another road project. This is an opportunity to future proof Galway with a multi-modal ring route that will serve the city and county for the next 100 years.
1/4
1/4
May 9, 2026 at 7:44 PM
There is precisely NOTHING in the #GalwayCityRingRoad proposal that could be described as "multi-modal".
The plan was very recently approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála, and to suggest that the design can be radically changed now, with no further delay, is just pie in the sky.
The plan was very recently approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála, and to suggest that the design can be radically changed now, with no further delay, is just pie in the sky.
Not just (some) councillors.
This was literally the policy position endorsed by the National Transport Authority in the 2016 #GalwayTransportStrategy in order to justify their support for the proposed #GalwayCityRingRoad.
'Bike lanes delay traffic, so we need major road expansion first.'
This was literally the policy position endorsed by the National Transport Authority in the 2016 #GalwayTransportStrategy in order to justify their support for the proposed #GalwayCityRingRoad.
'Bike lanes delay traffic, so we need major road expansion first.'
I asked a local councillor why they still hadn't built a protected bike lane near us. Answer: There are so many schools near there, that it would impact the traffic in the mornings to have the lanes .... I dunno.
Another reminder that a 13-year study found that protected bike-lanes led to a drastic decline in fatalities for all road users.
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Not just (some) councillors.
This was literally the policy position endorsed by the National Transport Authority in the 2016 #GalwayTransportStrategy in order to justify their support for the proposed #GalwayCityRingRoad.
'Bike lanes delay traffic, so we need major road expansion first.'
This was literally the policy position endorsed by the National Transport Authority in the 2016 #GalwayTransportStrategy in order to justify their support for the proposed #GalwayCityRingRoad.
'Bike lanes delay traffic, so we need major road expansion first.'
A couple of bold predictions, for posterity:
1. If the misbegotten #GalwayCityRingRoad is built, the final cost will be at least €2 billion.
2. As soon as the N6GCRR is opened, the total number of car trips will increase, sprawl will grow and congestion will gradually return within a decade or so.
1. If the misbegotten #GalwayCityRingRoad is built, the final cost will be at least €2 billion.
2. As soon as the N6GCRR is opened, the total number of car trips will increase, sprawl will grow and congestion will gradually return within a decade or so.
Exactly. People are expected to stand in the rain at bus stops, perish the thought that we’d spend a few quid for bus shelters. On the other hand, how about many hundreds of millions for a bit of a bypass in Galway?
No problem at all!
No problem at all!
May 10, 2026 at 7:48 AM
A couple of bold predictions, for posterity:
1. If the misbegotten #GalwayCityRingRoad is built, the final cost will be at least €2 billion.
2. As soon as the N6GCRR is opened, the total number of car trips will increase, sprawl will grow and congestion will gradually return within a decade or so.
1. If the misbegotten #GalwayCityRingRoad is built, the final cost will be at least €2 billion.
2. As soon as the N6GCRR is opened, the total number of car trips will increase, sprawl will grow and congestion will gradually return within a decade or so.
The #GalwayCityRingRoad is all about "freeing up" land for new car-dependent development. Leo Varadkar, famous for saying the quiet part out loud, told us that a couple of years ago.
Developers and speculators have been lobbying for a "bypass" since the late 1990s.
It's payback time now.
Developers and speculators have been lobbying for a "bypass" since the late 1990s.
It's payback time now.
July 25, 2026 at 4:10 PM
The #GalwayCityRingRoad is all about "freeing up" land for new car-dependent development. Leo Varadkar, famous for saying the quiet part out loud, told us that a couple of years ago.
Developers and speculators have been lobbying for a "bypass" since the late 1990s.
It's payback time now.
Developers and speculators have been lobbying for a "bypass" since the late 1990s.
It's payback time now.
Been saying this for years - infrastructure is often built to serve interests beyond just functionality.
March 13, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Very measured, thoughtful analysis of the #GalwayCityRingRoad by Dr Mike Hynes, Lecturer, School of Political Science & Sociology, University of Galway.
A radio interview with In the Loop on Galway Bay FM on Saturday, the 25th of April 2026, about the implications of the recent decision to grant planning to the N6 Galway City Ring Road...
mikehynes.ie/blog/2026/05...
mikehynes.ie/blog/2026/05...
A radio interview with In the Loop, on Galway Bay FM
Mike spoke with James Varley on the In the Loop programme on Galway Bay FM on Saturday, the 25th of April 2026, about the implications of the recent decision to grant planning to the N6 Galway City…
mikehynes.ie
May 12, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Very measured, thoughtful analysis of the #GalwayCityRingRoad by Dr Mike Hynes, Lecturer, School of Political Science & Sociology, University of Galway.
There is literally nothing in the #GalwayCityRingRoad plan about reducing traffic volume overall and car dependence in general.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
A key ingredient is "low-traffic conditions".
Since motor traffic is like a gas and expands to fill all available space, the provision of a ring road alone will not magically create these conditions. Hence scepticism amongst informed observers about Galway Ring Road merits.
#BackToTheDrawingBoard
Since motor traffic is like a gas and expands to fill all available space, the provision of a ring road alone will not magically create these conditions. Hence scepticism amongst informed observers about Galway Ring Road merits.
#BackToTheDrawingBoard
“The most effective approach is to build a network and to build it as quickly as possible.
But it’s worth emphasizing bike lanes alone do not make a network. In the Netherlands up to two thirds of the network is in mixed, low-traffic conditions, where the bike is the dominant mode.”
bit.ly/4fskIGm
But it’s worth emphasizing bike lanes alone do not make a network. In the Netherlands up to two thirds of the network is in mixed, low-traffic conditions, where the bike is the dominant mode.”
bit.ly/4fskIGm
June 5, 2026 at 7:58 PM
There is literally nothing in the #GalwayCityRingRoad plan about reducing traffic volume overall and car dependence in general.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
"City officials said while they're constantly working to tweak the traffic network, there's no magic solution to the constraints - except possibly the #GalwayCityRingRoad down the line."
Hopeless. Pitiful. Farcical.
www.galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-f...
Hopeless. Pitiful. Farcical.
www.galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-f...
Issues at Kirwan Junction due to traffic volumes "way over capacity" | GalwayBayFM
That was the message delivered by city officials at a meeting at City Hall this week.
www.galwaybayfm.ie
August 8, 2025 at 7:46 AM
"City officials said while they're constantly working to tweak the traffic network, there's no magic solution to the constraints - except possibly the #GalwayCityRingRoad down the line."
Hopeless. Pitiful. Farcical.
www.galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-f...
Hopeless. Pitiful. Farcical.
www.galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-f...
Be careful what you wish for.
One of the daftest notions about the #GalwayCityRingRoad is that, by making it much easier to cross the city by car, commuters will suddenly realise that driving is not so great after all.
It has happened nowhere else, but Galway will be so totally different. 🙄
One of the daftest notions about the #GalwayCityRingRoad is that, by making it much easier to cross the city by car, commuters will suddenly realise that driving is not so great after all.
It has happened nowhere else, but Galway will be so totally different. 🙄
The entire project should function as a transport spine from east to west across the city. That means designing in a light rail corridor from the outset, alongside a continuous greenway for walking and cycling.
We should not be bolting these on later at greater cost and disruption.
We should not be bolting these on later at greater cost and disruption.
May 9, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Be careful what you wish for.
One of the daftest notions about the #GalwayCityRingRoad is that, by making it much easier to cross the city by car, commuters will suddenly realise that driving is not so great after all.
It has happened nowhere else, but Galway will be so totally different. 🙄
One of the daftest notions about the #GalwayCityRingRoad is that, by making it much easier to cross the city by car, commuters will suddenly realise that driving is not so great after all.
It has happened nowhere else, but Galway will be so totally different. 🙄
'“The Climate Act has been weaponised by certain individuals,” Jack Chambers TD (FF) said, pointing specifically to the #GalwayCityRingRoad project.'
www.thejournal.ie/jack-chamber...
www.thejournal.ie/jack-chamber...
Chambers claims climate law has been 'weaponised' by NGOs to halt infrastructure projects
Friends of the Earth have said disapplying climate laws sets ‘an alarming precedent’.
www.thejournal.ie
September 25, 2026 at 7:54 AM
'“The Climate Act has been weaponised by certain individuals,” Jack Chambers TD (FF) said, pointing specifically to the #GalwayCityRingRoad project.'
www.thejournal.ie/jack-chamber...
www.thejournal.ie/jack-chamber...
When the #GalwayCityRingRoad is built, scene of this kind will not be reported by @news.rte.ie, ever again.
Everyone will travel by bus, bike and Shank's Pony to every event everywhere, all the time.
That includes every #GAA match to be played in Pearse Stadium.
Everyone will travel by bus, bike and Shank's Pony to every event everywhere, all the time.
That includes every #GAA match to be played in Pearse Stadium.
June 14, 2026 at 3:29 PM
When the #GalwayCityRingRoad is built, scene of this kind will not be reported by @news.rte.ie, ever again.
Everyone will travel by bus, bike and Shank's Pony to every event everywhere, all the time.
That includes every #GAA match to be played in Pearse Stadium.
Everyone will travel by bus, bike and Shank's Pony to every event everywhere, all the time.
That includes every #GAA match to be played in Pearse Stadium.
The #GalwayTransportStrategy was cleverly planned from the very start as a special purpose vehicle to expedite delivery of the #GalwayCityRingRoad.
However, is there not a fundamental flaw in ACP's approval process?
The NTA "paused" the GTS, and said that it was to be superseded by a new plan.
However, is there not a fundamental flaw in ACP's approval process?
The NTA "paused" the GTS, and said that it was to be superseded by a new plan.
Some very creative accounting was needed to greenlight the Galway ring road...
Some very creative accounting was needed to greenlight the Galway ring road
Deeming this project climate-compliant is untenable, argues architect and transport planner Ciarán Ferrie.
www.thejournal.ie
April 12, 2026 at 1:11 PM
The #GalwayTransportStrategy was cleverly planned from the very start as a special purpose vehicle to expedite delivery of the #GalwayCityRingRoad.
However, is there not a fundamental flaw in ACP's approval process?
The NTA "paused" the GTS, and said that it was to be superseded by a new plan.
However, is there not a fundamental flaw in ACP's approval process?
The NTA "paused" the GTS, and said that it was to be superseded by a new plan.
“This documentary isn’t about arguing for or against a road,” says Galway Talks’ John Morley, introducing a podcast well padded out with propaganda clearly in favour of constructing the proposed #GalwayCityRingRoad.
A new documentary by Galway Talks, broadcast on Galway Bay FM, is shining a spotlight on the profound emotional toll of the proposed Galway City Ring Road www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
New radio documentary ‘RingRoaded’ highlights human cost of Galway City Ring Road saga
A new documentary by Galway Talks, broadcast on Galway Bay FM, is shining a spotlight on the profound emotional toll of the proposed Galway City Ring Road. Titled ‘RingRoaded’, the documen...
www.advertiser.ie
February 23, 2026 at 3:57 PM
“This documentary isn’t about arguing for or against a road,” says Galway Talks’ John Morley, introducing a podcast well padded out with propaganda clearly in favour of constructing the proposed #GalwayCityRingRoad.
The #GalwayCityRingRoad won't be a children's hospital either.
Saying this will come back to haunt him.
Unless he insists he meant it literally: that the Metrolink project would not result in tje construction of a children's hospital.
Unless he insists he meant it literally: that the Metrolink project would not result in tje construction of a children's hospital.
‘Metrolink will not be another children’s hospital, OK?’: Darragh O’Brien’s promise on soaring costs
May 17, 2026 at 6:55 PM
The #GalwayCityRingRoad won't be a children's hospital either.
“Carbon emissions associated with necessary infrastructural projects such as the #GalwayCityRingRoad can be mitigated through reductions in other areas [...] and will be increasingly mitigated in the operational phase as electric vehicles are adopted.”
~An Coimisiún Pleanála, 2026.
~An Coimisiún Pleanála, 2026.
"The problem is cars, and that problem can’t be solved with different cars."
Car-Free Future Would Require Real Political Will, Podcasters Say
The transition to electric vehicles is lauded as one of the best solutions to reduce the roughly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions that cars and vans emit annually, but what if it went one step f...
www.theenergymix.com
April 24, 2026 at 7:34 AM
“Carbon emissions associated with necessary infrastructural projects such as the #GalwayCityRingRoad can be mitigated through reductions in other areas [...] and will be increasingly mitigated in the operational phase as electric vehicles are adopted.”
~An Coimisiún Pleanála, 2026.
~An Coimisiún Pleanála, 2026.
"Expanding the road network is not the answer to alleviating congestion, as evidence shows that expanding road capacity actually induces growth in traffic volumes."
#InducedTraffic
#GalwayCityRingRoad
www.connachttribune.ie/news/traffic...
#InducedTraffic
#GalwayCityRingRoad
www.connachttribune.ie/news/traffic...
Traffic jams are set to cost Galway city €107m a year
The economic cost of traffic congestion in Galway City is set to more than treble to €107 million in the next two decades.
www.connachttribune.ie
March 6, 2026 at 4:21 PM
"Expanding the road network is not the answer to alleviating congestion, as evidence shows that expanding road capacity actually induces growth in traffic volumes."
#InducedTraffic
#GalwayCityRingRoad
www.connachttribune.ie/news/traffic...
#InducedTraffic
#GalwayCityRingRoad
www.connachttribune.ie/news/traffic...
Summary of "objections" to the proposed second #GalwayCityRingRoad. 👇
Many people still refer to the project as a "bypass" since it was first mooted in the late 90s, just over a decade after the first ring road was built.
The gist of their argument: we want a bypass, but build it somewhere else.
Many people still refer to the project as a "bypass" since it was first mooted in the late 90s, just over a decade after the first ring road was built.
The gist of their argument: we want a bypass, but build it somewhere else.
February 17, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Summary of "objections" to the proposed second #GalwayCityRingRoad. 👇
Many people still refer to the project as a "bypass" since it was first mooted in the late 90s, just over a decade after the first ring road was built.
The gist of their argument: we want a bypass, but build it somewhere else.
Many people still refer to the project as a "bypass" since it was first mooted in the late 90s, just over a decade after the first ring road was built.
The gist of their argument: we want a bypass, but build it somewhere else.
'“The Climate Act has been weaponised by certain individuals,” Jack Chambers TD said, pointing specifically to the #GalwayCityRingRoad project'.
Note: revised projections presented at the N6GCRR oral hearing showed that the scheme would increase CO2 by 49% versus the Do Nothing option.
Note: revised projections presented at the N6GCRR oral hearing showed that the scheme would increase CO2 by 49% versus the Do Nothing option.
Government to shield Galway Ring Road and other projects from climate objectors in bid to fast-track critical infrastructure
Jack Chambers says he wants to ‘cut the crap’ from planning law
www.independent.ie
September 3, 2026 at 9:01 AM
'“The Climate Act has been weaponised by certain individuals,” Jack Chambers TD said, pointing specifically to the #GalwayCityRingRoad project'.
Note: revised projections presented at the N6GCRR oral hearing showed that the scheme would increase CO2 by 49% versus the Do Nothing option.
Note: revised projections presented at the N6GCRR oral hearing showed that the scheme would increase CO2 by 49% versus the Do Nothing option.
Read this and you'll understand, to some degree at least, why @galwayadvertiser.bsky.social has been cheerleading the #GalwayCityRingRoad for decades now, promoting #CarBrain and
platforming pro-road propaganda at every available opportunity. 👇
www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
platforming pro-road propaganda at every available opportunity. 👇
www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
Emotional bound with our transport transcends the mechanical
In the vast tapestry of human experience, few relationships are as profound and enduring as the one we share with whatever mode of transport we get around. Beyond mere modes of transportation, these w...
www.advertiser.ie
August 1, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Read this and you'll understand, to some degree at least, why @galwayadvertiser.bsky.social has been cheerleading the #GalwayCityRingRoad for decades now, promoting #CarBrain and
platforming pro-road propaganda at every available opportunity. 👇
www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
platforming pro-road propaganda at every available opportunity. 👇
www.advertiser.ie/galway/artic...
The images used by advocates for the second #GalwayCityRingRoad clearly show traffic-filled inbound roads, while outbound lanes are uncongested or entirely empty. Perhaps this is why they've pivoted from complaining about bypass traffic to hyping the importance of what they call "strategic" traffic.
October 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM
The images used by advocates for the second #GalwayCityRingRoad clearly show traffic-filled inbound roads, while outbound lanes are uncongested or entirely empty. Perhaps this is why they've pivoted from complaining about bypass traffic to hyping the importance of what they call "strategic" traffic.
'The #GalwayCityRingRoad Project Manager raised multiple objections, arguing that permission should be refused because the proposed buildings are “in the vicinity of, and within the boundary of” the N6 project.'
m.independent.ie/regionals/ga...
m.independent.ie/regionals/ga...
Galway City Council give 53 homes the green light despite concerns about location
Permission has been granted for a housing development in Letteragh in Galway despite its proximity to a proposed ring road.
m.independent.ie
July 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
'The #GalwayCityRingRoad Project Manager raised multiple objections, arguing that permission should be refused because the proposed buildings are “in the vicinity of, and within the boundary of” the N6 project.'
m.independent.ie/regionals/ga...
m.independent.ie/regionals/ga...