Report to be carried out on Donegal Town multi-storey car park viability

Donegal County Council are to carry out a report on the viability of a multi-storey car park being constructed in Donegal Town, after a motion was filed during March’s meeting of the Donegal Municipal District.

Sinn Féin councillor, Noel Jordan, forwarded the motion, which called on the Donegal MD to carry out a report on a multi-storey car park for Donegal Town, and was supported by Cllr Michael McMahon. 

An executive response, signed off by the Area Manager for Roads and Transportation, Mark Sweeney, was provided at the meeting.

Cllr Jordan said: “I am asking this MD to form a report to carry out a cost analysis. There is certainly going to be a need going forward, since we see how the town is going forward, and not only that, but the amount of new buildings is going to create a huge amount of traffic in Donegal Town.

“There has been a lot of talk about multi-story car parks in the last number of years, but now you really can see the need. Then we can have a conversation with the National Transport Authority and talk about the possibility. There are sites there which have been looked at for a few different projects. 

“I have looked at the responses and understand the response. That there has been traffic surveys done in 2024. Since 2024, there have been two major housing developments, and we are in the midst of the Donegal Area Local Plan, which there is no doubt that there will be a residential zone in the new plan, which will create more congestion. 

“Let’s see if it is viable. The people and the public need to know this and the cost, and if it is viable for Donegal Town.”

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Cllr McMahon followed: “I think it is a very good motion. Traffic is one of the problems that should be discussed. I certainly have no problems supporting the motion.”

The Executive’s official response stated: “All public sector capital projects must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. For projects of less than €5 million, the Infrastructure Guidelines dictate that a streamlined process can be followed. The process begins with the completion of a Preliminary Business Case, where the proposed investment must be justified, and all options for addressing the apparent issue must be explored.

“It is only after this stage can a project be progressed to the Design, Planning, and Procurement Strategy phase.”

The Executive’s answer also stated: “It should be noted that surveys conducted on parking availability within Donegal Town in July and August 2024 showed that on average, only 79% of available parking spots were being used during the height of holiday season, which is traditionally the busiest period for parking in Donegal Town.

“It should also be noted that all parking-related expenditure must be funded through parking revenues in the town, in which the works are to take place, including the repayment of any loans secured to deliver significant capital works. 

The Executive's answer listed out elements that must be included in a Preliminary Business Case, including confirmation of the strategic relevance of the proposal and detailed specification of the objective of the proposal, description of the shortlist of potential options to deliver objectives set out, detailed demand analysis and description of underlying assumptions, assessment of climate and environmental performance, options appraisal - including a financial and economic appraisal and sensitivity analysis, assessment of affordability within existing resources, risk assessment, approaches to implementation and operation, plans for monitoring and evaluation including key performance indicators, and a recommendation for the approving authority.