Letterkenny’s northern ‘Active Travel’ and Windyhall road upgrade moves forward

Donegal County Council has announced details of a public consultation on its plans for a major infrastructure project in Letterkenny aimed at transforming how residents move around the town.

The ‘Letterkenny Active Travel - Northern Network Project’ will deliver new and upgraded roads, junctions and pedestrian and cycling paths across several areas including Windyhall, Glencar Irish, Killylastin, Glencar Scotch and Killyclug.

The scheme, detailed in a public notice published in the local press last week and available for review through https://consult.donegal.ie, is designed to encourage safer, more sustainable travel while easing traffic congestion.

Read more: Drainage work required at Windyhall Road

According to the Council, the project will involve both new road construction and significant upgrades to existing routes. Among the highlights are:

- New road linking the existing local road at Windyhall to Killyclug;

- Three new signalised junctions ensuring cyclist and pedestrian safety;

- Segregated pedestrian and cyclist paths throughout the scheme, reallocating road space to prioritize active travel;

- Controlled and uncontrolled crossings at key points, making it easier for residents to reach schools, shops and workplaces;

- Stormwater drainage infrastructure, landscaping, and improved street lighting to modern standards.

The Council has emphasised that the project is being developed in line with national design standards and Transport Infrastructure Ireland guidelines. Smaller side road junctions will be narrowed, with raised tables and active travel priority measures introduced where appropriate.

Significantly, the Council has determined that the development does not require a full Environmental Impact Assessment. Following a preliminary examination, officials concluded that the scale and nature of the works are unlikely to have significant effects on the environment. Similarly, a screening process found that the project would not adversely affect any European conservation sites, meaning an Appropriate Assessment is not required.

The public is being invited to have its say on the project.

Plans and particulars of the project are available for inspection at the Letterkenny and Milford Public Service Centres, as well as online at Donegal County Council's online consultation portal. The documents will be accessible until Friday, 2 January 2026. Submissions and observations can be made up to Monday, 19 January 2026, either in writing to the County Secretariat Office in Lifford or via the Council’s online portal.

Local residents are encouraged to review the plans and provide feedback. The Council has stressed that community input will be vital in shaping the final design, particularly in ensuring that the new infrastructure meets the needs of all road users.

If approved, the Northern Network Project will mark one of the most ambitious active travel initiatives in county’s largest town, promising safer streets, an improved road network with footpaths and cycleways, and a greener and less congested future for the residents of Letterkenny.