It’s claimed better transport is key to unlocking Clare’s development potential in the coming years.
The Inagh-based CEO of Muintir na Tíre is commenting in the wake of a new report published by the Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development.
It’s revealed that planners have focused on the east of the country, to the detriment of other regions and recommends planning ahead when it comes to investment, rather than a reactionary approach.
The report from the Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development found that planners have been focusing on areas of demand such as Dublin, to the detriment of the regions.
It’s made a number of recommendations including that capital funding should go towards areas where there is less population, and that the National Transport Authority should be legally required to promote regional development.
Other key recommendations include increasing funding for roads, extending bus and train timetables in the morning and evening, and developing rail freight.
Chair of the Oireachtas Committee, Clarecastle TD Joe Carey says counties like Clare can’t be neglected.
Rural Transport is one of the targets in the Clare Rural Development Strategy and Clare County Council’s Strategic Policy Committee will study the recommendations of the report in detail at it’s next meeting.
Last year the Council invested 60,000 euro towards the purchase on a community transport bus by Clare Bus and the local authority says it will continue to work with key stakeholders, with a clear focus on local communities and rural customers.
The Inagh-based CEO of Muintir na Tíre, meanwhile, has welcomed the report, saying transport should be used as a driver for development outside of Dublin.
Niall Garvey believes Clare is perfectly situated for development, but only if the transport infrastructure is in place to allow for that.
