This article is from page 16 of the 2007-10-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
GORT is set to become a key indus- trial and residential hub for the en- tire Burren region following the an- nouncement that it 1s to be connected to the national gas pipeline.
The south Galway town has more than doubled its population in recent years with as many of 40 per cent of the inhabitants believed to be of Bra- Zilian origin.
This latest statement follows an- nouncements last year that Gort would receive two entrances on the
planned Gort-Crusheen bypass.
It is also planned that Gort will be a main stop when the Western Rail Corridor is reopened.
“We were very keen to see Gort added to the towns that were already earmarked to receive gas. Gas for Gort should significantly cut down on energy costs to businesses and consumers alike,’ said Dr Niamh Clune, head of the Gort Regional Al- liance for Community and the Envi- ronment (GRACE).
“Although it will mean some more disruption to the town’s roads and
pavements, at least the digging to in- stall all necessary services to benefit the future development of the whole town of Gort should be completed in the near future.”
GRACE were invited to take part in a feasibility study into the inclu- sion of Gort on the gas pipeline ear- lier this year when a group met with Bord Gais senior executives.
“IT am very pleased to hear that Gort has been selected to get natural gas. It will mean a very substantial saving for our hotel and new leisure centre, aS we are very dependent on
gas,’ said local businessman Michael O’Grady.
“O’Grady Construction Gort Ltd has just completed a housing scheme of 200 houses at Oranmore using natural gas. We know that the use of natural gas on our next housing scheme at Gort will be a big selling factor.
‘I am very happy to be associated with the GRACE Organisation in its efforts to bring gas to Gort.”
Bord Gais has undertaken an ex- tensive study to evaluate the exten- sion of the natural gas network to
new towns around the country since early 2006.
In November 2006, Phase One of the study was published and saw 11 towns along the route of the Mayo- Galway pipeline qualifying for con- nection to the network.
Construction has already com-
menced on this €40 million project. This announcement represents
Phase Two of the study, with six towns to be connected to the natural gas network at a cost of some €23 million.