New City For The West
"Brings New Hope"
Mr William Thomas proposes a new city to be built in the centre of Connacht. However this is not to suggest a transfer of the present urban problems of congestion, traffic, crime and social problems to a new location, the group stressed.
On the contrary he offers the advantages of rural society in a new specially designed environmentally friendly city. This is a development which will encourage community and tradition while at the same time taking advantage of modem facilities and technologies, and all the attractions which are now demanded by young people. We could perhaps envisage an Irish version of Silicon Valley, 'Gleann Silicon.'
"I met William Thomas to discuss how his vision could be achieved and I put to him all the hard questions. I referred to the various obstacles and challenges which he is sure to meet and I probed his plans and strategies. He provided very convincing answers,' said Enterprise Connacht/Ulster spokesperson, Mr Gerard McGarry.
'For example, I raised the issue of effluent disposal from a large population centre and he explained the systems and technologies which are tried and available elsewhere such as in China, systems which will not only treat the waste but also bring environmental benefits.
Traffic, roads and rail, all can be provided with minimum reliance of Public funds. Of course the airport is already there and the gas main will pass by.
"What employment will be available for the population of the new city? Here William Thomas is at his most convincing. Private investment capital is available for a new city in the west in exactly the same manner as private capital is lined up to build the Spencer Dock area in Dublin or indeed for any other major project throughout the state.
Capital will be invested wherever conditions are most favourable, where tax- incentives are available and where there is Public Sector support. The modem approach to development is Public/private sector partnerships, arrangements which depend on private funding combined with Public sector support and infrastructure. This brings us to the next and perhaps greatest challenge i.e. political support," Mr McGarry pointed out.
"The support of our elected representatives is essential to the success of the new city. Now all our politicians have supported the National Plan which proposes the further expansion of major towns and cities throughout Ireland. These favoured locations are dressed up as Gateways and growth there is expected to filter out and down to smaller towns and rural areas. New satellite towns and large housing estates are proposed near cities already congested. In Connacht the favoured cities are all on the perimeter i.e. Galway, Sligo and Athlone. All of these growth centres are a long way from 'Lar Connacht', simply too far away to anticipate any spin-off benefits.
Of course the Gateway selection is to be evaluated on a technical basis by the National Spatial Strategy. This is where William Thomas has found an opportunity, an opening in the defences of the proponents of the Gateway strategy, he wants his new city proposal to be given equal treatment in the National Spatial Strategy deliberations.
"William Thomas needs support to ensure that his proposal is allowed equal treatment, he needs our support and he needs the support of our elected representative.
We also require, we should insist on, that East Mayo, the probable location of the new city, is given appropriate tax-incentives and where they are providing a stimulus to the local economy. Now the forgotten rural East Mayo deserves a chance.
"I believe that William Thomas has put forward a realistic and achievable proposal which should be supported by everybody who is interested in the survival of rural Central Connacht, by everybody who believes that young people should not have to move to remote cities for employment. I believe that the proposal should be and will be supported by our politicians.
Enterprise Connacht/Ulster delivered before, we saw and followed the E.U. opportunity, the potential of the Western Corridor route, local participation in development. We should make one more great effort and help William Thomas complete the job," Mr McGarry concluded.
*Further information on the new city is available on the website: www.newcityforthewest.com