Traffic lights may be instated at Bunbeg river rather than footbridge

A footbridge is needed rather than traffic lights over the Clady river, in Bunbeg, councillors insisted at a meeting of the Glenties Municipal District on Tuesday. 

Councillors were informed traffic lights may be an option rather than a bridge which could cost an estimated €750,000. 

The project is currently being assessed by a consultancy firm. Quite a number of freshwater pearl mussels were found close to the proposed site for a footbridge in Bunbeg, in 2018. It was confirmed at that point that matters would progress in due course. 

Four tenders were submitted for the design of the Bunbeg footbridge, in 2021. A meeting took place between council officials and road design and plans for the bridge were discussed. The footbridge was to be erected across the Clady river on the R257. Concerns had been raised in relation to the safety of pedestrians on the bridge. The proposed footbridge is within an SAC and the Roads Service appointed an ecologist to carry out a survey in the vicinity of the existing structure. 

On Tuesday, Councillors Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig and John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh both said that they would not be in favour of traffic lights at the bridge and were adamant a bridge was the preferred option. 

Independent Councillor Mac Giolla Easbuig said he wouldn’t accept traffic lights at the location adding that the people of Gaoth Dobhair deserve a bridge. 

Sinn Féin Councillor John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh echoed his sentiments. Councillors were informed that it would be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities that a bridge is the preferred option and they would be informed of the decision within a month. 

The National Transport Authority will also be part of this consultation process.