Donegal gets €4.27m for Greenways and National Roads Active Travel infrastructure

Donegal County Council has been allocated €4.27 million for Greenways and National Roads Active Travel infrastructure.

The funding is part of a national allocation of €67 million announced today by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State Seán Canney and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for 2025.

The Donegal projects that will benefit from today’s announcement are: Inishowen - Buncrana – Carndonagh, €60,000; Barnesmore Gap Greenway, €700,000; Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway, €340,000; Inishowen GW - Bridgend to Buncrana & Newtowncunningham, €500,000; Inishowen GW - Three Trees to Carndonagh, €300,000; Carrigans to Lifford GW, €300,000; N56 Letterkenny Urban, €1,580,000; N56 Dunkineely, €50,000; N15 Cappry to Ballybofey, €50,000; N56 Dunfanaghy to Portnablagh, €50,000.

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Welcoming the announcement, Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue said: “This latest allocation for Donegal, which is the fourth highest in the country after Kerry, Cork and Mayo, demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to developing high-quality walking and cycling facilities in towns, villages and rural areas.”

“The ongoing expansion of Donegal’s walking and cycling network through Greenway and active travel infrastructure on our national roads is crucial in offering safe travel options to cyclists and pedestrians. Our roads are the key to Donegal’s infrastructure and it’s important that we continue to maintain and upgrade where possible," the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy added.

“Last year we saw the completion of the Lifford to Castlefinn Greenway and the Muff to Quigley’s Point Greenway and both of these projects are already having a hugely positive impact on the economy of both areas. Our greenways are a wonderful tourist attraction and amenity for communities, and I look forward to more projects being completed,” he commented.

Pat the Cope Gallagher TD said: The allocation will allow the Barnesmore Gap project to complete preliminary designs and progress purchase of lands and move to formal Planning and CPO (if required).

“The allocation for Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway will complete the current route selection process and following this consideration will be then given to how best and most efficiently progress this major project. The other greenway allocations will allow each project to progress with the required design and further public consultations.

“On the Active travel allocation, the €1.85m to the N56 Letterkenny Urban project phase 2 from the Polestar to Creamery roundabout is very welcome. This project will provide safer cycle and pedestrian facilities on this section of the N56 in Letterkenny as well as making changes and improvements to the operation of the existing N56 junctions at Ballyriane and the Ramelton road. This project is currently at tender, and it is hoped to go to construction as soon as possible this year.

“The other active travel allocations at Dunkineely, Capry /Ballybofey and Dunfanaghy Portnablagh will each allow for the continued design of new improved Active travel facilities at these locations. I will continue to monitor the projects with a view to advancing them a quickly as possible.”