Donegal North East T.D. Niall Blaney has met the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey T.D, to discuss his campaign to build a new link road from Lifford to Letterkenny.
Deputy Blaney stressed the importance of including this development alongside the N2/A5 project. He explained that in order for this to happen, the link road must be included in funding allocated in 2011.
The local T.D. informed Minister Dempsey that Donegal County Council is in a position to start a new bridge-crossing between Lifford and Strabane if there is money which has not been spent on other projects.
Following the discussions, Deputy Blaney said: “I explained to the Minister the paramount importance of ensuring that Letterkenny is not left behind as planning on the N2/A5 project continues. Completing a direct road from Dublin to Letterkenny will open up the entire county and stimulate the economy.
“I am certain that securing improved access to the region will help create jobs, attract investment and boost tourism. Many local business and civic officials strongly agree with this view and have endorsed my campaign, along with hundreds of others living locally.
“Paul Byrne of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce has highlighted the benefit to local businesses; Paul Hannigan of LYIT believes it will boost investment in education; Joe Mangan of Mangan Tours and Dolores McGee from Donegal Self Catering have said the link would improve tourism in the county; and Senior Roads Engineer Aidan O’Doherty said the project is one of the most important he has ever worked on.
“I have brought all of these views to Minister Dempsey’s attention and outlined the growing level of support for this campaign from people right across Donegal. The Minister has agreed to give careful consideration to my proposal to build a Lifford to Letterkenny road alongside the N2/A5 Dublin to Derry road.
“This piece of infrastructure is key to the growth of our local economy and I intend to continue my fight to secure the necessary funding,” said Deputy Blaney.
