New Donegal Leitrim bridge proposals have a submission deadline of December 5

Progress is being made on a new bridge between Kinlough and Bundoran and Leitrim and Donegal in close proximity to the old Lennox's Bridge and your views are being sought, but they must be made before the pending deadline of December 5.

Leitrim County Council are taking the lead on this project with the cooperation of Donegal County Council. 

A presentation from Roughan and O'Donovan Consulting Engineers was given last Thursday last to the Councillors from the Manorhamilton MD and Donegal MD and it was also attended by engineers from both councils. 

This presentation showed four proposed routes for a new bridge with one to the east of the existing bridge emerging as the preferred route. This route would have the least interruptions as it is all on agricultural land.

Local Leitrim Councillor Justin Warnock (pictured below) has been spearheading the project:

All going well, sometime in the New Year it is hoped that planning and an Environmental Impact Assessment will be undertaken. Work could commence in 2024 if the funding is put in place, Cllr Justin Warnock believes.

The Kinlough based Cllr told donegallive.ie:

“Lennox's Bridge will remain and will be used in the new cycle and walkway between Kinlough and Bundoran, with work on this already started in Kinlough under the active travel scheme.

“Personally I am delighted to see this project progressing as I have been relentless in calling for a new bridge since first elected in 2014. 

“This vital piece of infrastructure should have been constructed when the population of Kinlough started to grow in 1998 when it was 285 and which currently is 1,200 plus. 

“The volume of traffic has quadrupled and so have the accidents on the bridge.

“The new bridge will greatly enhance the lives of the people of Kinlough, especially those who travel to Bundoran or Ballyshannon multiple times every day. Also realignment works of the existing road are to be progressed as well. 

“The people know that I will not rest until the bridge, the road and walkway/cycleway are delivered.

Bundoran based Cllr Michael McMahon added:

Donegal Cllr Michael McMahon

“I want to welcome the fact that the process has started. The matter has been a contentious issue for years and now is the opportunity to get it up and running and get started as soon as possible. 

“I welcome Leitrim County Council taking the lead on this and being well supported by

Donegal County council. I want to thank landowners for their cooperation with the design team. I also welcome the keeping of the old bridge which dates back to about 1820.

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“There are greater links between south Donegal and North Leitrim than ever before, the volumes of traffic are at their busiest ever.

He added: It will be important that land owners, stakeholders and the public are kept informed and consulted on all aspects of the plans, which will transform the whole area with the old bridge crossing and the wider walkway initiatives in development between Donegal, Leitrim and Fermanagh.”  

Submissions details 

A public consultation event took place in the Community Centre in Kinlough on Monday.  

Leitrim County Council in conjunction with Donegal County Council would welcome your comments in relation to the emerging preferred option under consideration for the Lennox Bridge Upgrade project, on the R280 between Kinlough and Bundoran on the Leitrim / Donegal County Boundary.

If you were unable to attend the Monday information event, submissions can be made by email or in writing at the addresses below on or before 5th December 2022:

The Project Engineer, Lennox Bridge, Leitrim County Council, Aras an Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 PF67

E: roads@Leitrimcoco.ie T: 071 9620005 Ext 628