‘We need the government to help develop Letterkenny into a city’
A motion requesting that Donegal County Council call on the government to establish a task force to develop Letterkenny was passed at the September Plenary meeting
A Donegal County Councillor has highlighted the need for government investment to develop Letterkenny into a city.
Sinn Féin councillor Gerry McMonagle tabled a motion at Donegal County Council’s (DCC) September Plenary meeting to develop Letterkenny to accommodate the growing population.
The motion was passed, and DCC will now engage with the government to develop and implement a strategic framework for Letterkenny’s future growth.
Cllr McMonagle suggested that a task force engage with Donegal County Council, elected representatives, business, education, health and community stakeholders to identify and deliver the infrastructure, housing, transport, water services and investment required.
Having been elected over 23 years ago, Cllr McMonagle stated that he is “sick and tired of hearing we don't have the plans; we have the plans and ambition, but we don't have the investment from government to put in place the necessary infrastructure to not only develop Letterkenny into a city but to keep it alive and well. People are suffering due to a lack of investment.”
Cllr McMonagle pointed to southern Letterkenny, stating that development is needed to accommodate a growing population.
“We need the government to help develop Letterkenny into a city. There is a lack of infrastructure, and Leck Road is not in condition for the heavy traffic it currently carries. We need a master plan for the south of Letterkenny involving private enterprise, which needs to include government departments who are responsible for roads to ensure necessary infrastructure is there to support future development.”
Mr Garry Martin, Director of Human Resources, Economic Development and Emergency Services, highlighted that Letterkenny is recognised as a strategic growth centre in the National Planning Framework (NPF) and, as such, is acknowledged as a key hub around which the wider North West economy benefits. Housing, water and wastewater infrastructure and associated community area investments are also included in both the existing North West future vision plan with Derry City & Strabane.
“It is evident that Letterkenny is an economic driver given its size and scale,” Mr Martin said. “Substantial capital investment is needed to bring infrastructure in the northwest to a standard we desire.”
Cllr McMonagle acknowledged the response but said: “We need to plan for growth; we have not got the infrastructure. We need the public bus service; we need to move on with the rail. We need a high-level task force; let’s not build a city and then look for the infrastructure. It is not the fault of the elected members or council; we have looked for investment for Dublin.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme