Cross-border Derry & Donegal greenway plans moving forward

Donegal County Councillors were given an update on the development at this week’s Inishowen Municipal District meeting.

The update was on the area between Muff and Derry - route 2 (c.10.5km); Buncrana and Derry route 1 - (c.32.5km) - and Lifford- Strabane - route 3.

They were told that key activities completed included the consultation process for Route Selection for Routes 1 and 2. Landowner engagement on route 2 has completed with engagement on route 1 ongoing. A brand and logo has been adopted and design option reports are progressing for Bridgend, Castletown and Fahan. Design option reports have been completed for Burnfoot, Inch and Magherabeg. Additionally, all surveys have been completed for route 1 and planning consent timelines have been established and agreed.

It is planned to have approval for full tender documentation by March 2021, with the construction tender published later in the month. It is envisaged a contractor will be on site in Muff in June.

Ongoing tasks include the finalisation of alignment in Bridgend, Fahan and Castletown, the submission of a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in mid-year 2021 and ongoing communications – directly and indirectly – with landowners and interested parties.

Inishowen Cathaoirleach Albert Doherty added that there had been an allocation of monies made recently for routes from Buncrana to Carndonagh, Muff to Quigley’s Point and Carrigans to Castlefin and asked for an update on whether Part 8 planning (public notice and consultation) has been ‘instigated.’