Progress on McGrory's Brae work outside Ballybofey

Progress on work to develop a hard shoulder on McGrory's Brae outside Ballybofey was relayed to councillors at the recent meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District.

The campaign to improve safety measures at this section of the busy N15 was initiated by the local cycling club, the Finn Wheelers last February following a crash involving one of its members.

Council roads engineer, Claire McGeever said the project had been progressed by her colleagues in the National Roads Office (NRO) during 2022 thanks to funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

She added advance works contracts for vegetation clearance and utility diversion should happen on the ground in the coming months.

"Construction works may proceed in 2023 subject to an allocation in that regard."

The news was welcomed by Cllr Martin Harley said this work would be important to people using that stretch of the road. He praised the work that had already been done between McGrory's Brae and Leeper's Corner saying it was a vast improvement on what was there and had probably saved lives as a result.

"I haven't heard of any serious incidents on that stretch of road since the work was done. Up until then, we were all getting phone calls about accidents on that road, it being closed or diversions put in place via the Derg Line," he said.

Municipal district chairman, Cllr Patrick McGowan said the relief road off the N15 helped cycle groups like the Finn Wheelers go up McGrory's Brae but it needed signage.

"A lot of cyclists pass it because of no signage. They don't know where it's going or where it comes out. They don't realise it is a through road or that the council has resurfaced it. Those that do are very pleased with it. We need signs to tell them to use it instead of the very dangerous McGrory's Brae until we get that hard shoulder sorted out," he said.

Ms McGeever said she would pass the requests on to the council's director for roads and transportation.