Glenties' footpath being left unfinished is ‘unsafe and unacceptable’

A Sinn Féin Councillor has said that the footpath in Glenties is being left unfinished, is “unsafe and unacceptable”.

The Glenties MD Councillor Brian Carr has called it infuriating. In a response to the Councillor, it has been confirmed that there is no plan to address gaps in the footpath despite over €130 million being invested in the Dungloe to Kilraine road and active travel upgrade.

In a recent reply from the National Roads Office (NRO), it was confirmed that the N56 Letterilly to Kilraine contract works have reached “substantial completion” and that “additional footways beyond the extents of the project are wholly independent” of the current construction.

“It’s infuriating that after so much investment, we’re left with two short but critical gaps that completely undermine the entire project,” Cllr Carr said. "Pedestrians and cyclists coming into Glenties are being forced onto a live road at the top of a blind hill. I have been engaging with the NRO, TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland), and Council, but progress has stalled and the situation is now both unsafe and unacceptable.

"The two missing sections include a 40-metre stretch between the end of the cycle track and Mill Road Cottages, where land acquisition has reportedly stalled. I was expecting that this section and a 100-metre section in front of the church on Mill Road, which has been under discussion for over a decade with The Glenties Development Group, would be done with the N56 upgrade. 

"These are the only parts of the 32 km Dungloe–Kilraine route where walkers and cyclists are forced onto the main road with live traffic. This also takes on added importance due to new developments in the town. It is proposed that buses for the new Brian Friel Centre will park in the church car park, with an estimated 33,000 visitors expected annually.

“Most visitors will be walking from the car park to the new centre, but there’s no footpath or safe crossing in place. That’s a serious oversight. Despite the completion of the wider N56 works, these gaps leave a dangerous break in what should be a safe, continuous active travel route. With walkers, schoolchildren, and cyclists all using this route, it’s impossible to see how this can be considered finished. 

"The NRO have confirmed that they have sought funding for a standalone Active Travel Scheme to cover the missing section in front of the church, but no allocation has yet been approved by the TII. I also received an email today stating that the NRO is organising a delegation to go and meet with TII. I will formally request that both missing sections be included on the agenda for this upcoming discussion on National Roads and Greenways and will request that I can attend the meeting.

READ NEXT: The Cope announces €30,000 team profit share for the fourth year

"You can travel more than 30 kilometres safely on a dedicated path — until you reach Glenties, where you’re suddenly on a live road at national speed limits. It’s simply unacceptable.

“We’re talking about less than 150 metres of missing footpath on a major active travel route. After years of discussion, there’s no justification for this. 

“The people of Glenties deserve a safe, continuous walkway and cycleway into their town. Not an abrupt end that forces them into traffic.”