Tertiary economic activities:(transport) the western region

The western region

The Irish region that I have studied is the Northern and Western Region.

This is a peripheral region and it is made up of Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan, Sligo, Donegal, and Monaghan.

A peripheral region is often considered as underdeveloped, unemployment rates remain high here and there are high levels of out-migration.

However it is said that the N&W region has good economic potential as it has an unspoilt environment with little congestion attracting tourists from both Ireland and around the world.

The region has a variety of physical landscapes and a rugged coastline. The EU structural funds have helped the development of the tertiary sector in this region but it is still not the most prominent sector in the region.

The tertiary economic activities I am going to discuss are transport

transport links

Transport links in the region are limited and underdeveloped.

There are only a few national primary roads. One of the finest roads is the M6 which links Galway to Dublin, this was their first toll motorway built in 2009.

This makes the region less peripheral as it is easily accessed from the Irish capital city.

Most roads in the region are underdeveloped, narrow and winding due to the mountainous terrain.

In 2005 Galway only received 1/5 of the money allocated to Dublin for transport development.

In 2006 it was discovered that the Irish Government did not spend over €500 million of the NDP (National Development Plan) on infrastructure in the Northern and West region.

Under Transport 21 (transport plan) and the plans of the National Roads Authority it is planned to spend this money on the Atlantic Corridor which will link Donegal to Waterford making it easier to access this region from the north and south. The upgrading of the Atlantic Corridor is in progress and should make the west more attractive for inward investment. (2018).

low population density

The low population density of this region (25 per km2) has made it difficult to upgrade public transport links in this region as the economy will not get the money back from it.

Regarding rail in the region it is underdeveloped and needs a lot more work, linking it to Knock airport in Mayo would greatly increase the accessibility in the N&W region.

Daily passenger trains from Western terminals link the Northern and Western Region to Leinster and Dublin, greatly benefitting the tourist industry as Dublin is the main entry point for tourists.

The railway line from Galway to Limerick via Athenry re-opened in 2010 and developments as such make the region less peripheral and more developed

Galway port

The main shipping port in the N&W region is Galway port, but its portal activities are limited as it cannot cater for large containers or international passenger travel.

The Western Region has 2 small airports, Knock airport in Mayo travels to 25 British and European destinations and Galway airport is a business airport linking the west to Dublin and London.

The National Development Plan (NDP) has been put in place to invest in the development of transport in the Northern and Western Region.

The main aim of the NDP is to create a balanced regional development throughout Ireland.