An extensive one-way traffic system through the city centre is a key solution to alleviate congestion in Galway, a local councillor has claimed.

Cllr Michael Crowe made the claim during a presentation on the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS) in the City Council chamber.

However, he was asked to ‘hold fire’ on his proposal for the Council to immediately introduce a one-way system on a pilot basis, and for full implementation next March.

Chief Executive Brendan McGrath asked Cllr Crowe to postpone making his proposal formal until the January 9 meeting of the Council – before which time more extensive proposals from local authority consultants will be revealed.

Senior Engineer Uinsinn Finn said he would meet with councillors before that date to “tease out” any potential one-way system.

Local orbital routes to bypass the city centre via Wolfe Tone Bridge (southern route) and Quincentenary Bridge (northern route) have already been earmarked in the GTS.

Cllr Crowe said: “It makes no sense to me that the one-way system in a city like Galway wasn’t included in this (the GTS). It’s crying out for a one-way system, but it might not be universally popular.

“I’m not talking about putting in bollards for a weekend, I’m talking about a proper system, and a road properly finished. Come into town via Lough Atalia and out through Bohermore.

“It is one of the best things we can do and would benefit public transport. The Council needs to consider trial periods of a one-way system,” said Cllr Crowe.

Cllr Declan McDonnell said he believed a one-way system was the only way the Council would be able to create a bus lane coming into town from Doughiska.

“The Doughiska/Parkmore [bus] is arriving into the city 50 minutes late because there’s no bus lane. Unless there’s a one-way system and a bus lane, people will not get out of their cars,” said Cllr McDonnell.

Jim Molloy of the Galway Transportation Unit said that as part of the GTS, all roads in the city centre were being looked at. There was no detailed design for traffic flow system, but that would be available next year.

At the request of Mr McGrath, Cllr Crowe agreed to postpone his motion (which had been seconded by Peter Keane) that the Council introduce an immediate pilot one-way system with full implementation by March 2017 to next month.