Ring Road objector withdraws second High Court case against another major Galway project
Shane Foran has withdrawn High Court proceedings challenging the proposed redevelopment
The objector who withdrew his High Court challenge to the Galway City Ring Road last week has withdrawn further legal proceedings against the proposed redevelopment of Galway Harbour.
Shane Foran confirmed this morning that he was applying for the proceedings to be struck out by the High Court following an agreement reached with Galway City Council and Galway Harbour Company.
The latest legal breakthrough will have little immediate impact on the redevelopment plans, however, as the ambitious project cannot access state or EU funding under existing legislation.
Mr Foran, an active-travel advocate, secured a range of commitments in relation to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure prior to his withdrawal of court proceedings against the Galway City Ring Road.
The withdrawal of his challenge to the planning approval of the Galway Harbour project followed the provision of further commitments in relation to active-travel facilities in the vicinity of the port.
Galway City Council, which owns Galway Harbour Company, has agreed to commission a feasibility study on an alternative cycling route through harbour lands to avoid bringing cyclists in contact with motor vehicles on Dock Road.
A temporary arrangement will also be implemented to route cyclists inside railings around the Docks, which Mr Foran claims were posing a risk at the edge of the road at ‘handlebar height’.
The local authority has also agreed to commission a feasibility study into providing a direct walking and cycling route from Renmore to the city via an existing underpass at Lough Atalia and through harbour lands.
Short-term and long-term cycling links between the Huntsman and the harbour along Lough Atalia Road will also be examined under the terms of the agreement, which was signed by Mr Foran and Leonard Cleary, the council’s chief executive.
The council will also engage with the National Transport Authority (NTA) with a view to restarting the Tuam Road Bus Corridor and cycle facilities from Claregalway to Galway.
It is already exploring active travel works to support the location of council staff to the new offices at the Crown development.
Mr Foran had taken the High Court proceedings, alleging that planning authorities had failed to take into account adverse impacts for vulnerable road users where HGV traffic is expected to increase as a result of the proposed development.
He had also raised issues concerning compliance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, and the application of the EU Habitats Directive.