Cllr Terence Slowey September 2012 Parish Council Report
Ardara/Glenties Road Resurfacing
Cllr Slowey started off by welcoming the completion of resurfacing work on the N56 between Ardara and Glenties. A section of roadway was designed, resurfaced and lined from Doohill to the Mines at a cost €550,000. The work was carried out under a contract funded by the National Roads Authority (NRA) and according to Cllr Slowey the N56 from Ardara to Glenties and Ardara to Killybegs is now in a pretty good state of repair thanks to significant funding and resurfacing in recent years.
N56 Kilraine/Glenties/Dungloe
Cllr Slowey said that work was ongoing on the section of the N56 known locally as the Meenacarn Bends. The NRA had funded a contract in 2012 for €6.3 million with a timescale to the end of December 2012. The Part 8 Planning was sanctioned by the Members of Donegal County Council at their June 2012 meeting for the section from Sweeney’s Shop to Dungloe and the Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO’s) for land acquisition were published on the 27th of August. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and CPO’s for the Lettermacaward, Glenties (Kilraine) stretch of roadway were published back in December 2011. An Board Pleanala are presently considering the EIS and the 29 objections lodged and it is expected that a decision on this section will be delivered in October 2012. The NRA sanctioned €1 million in 2012 for all of the detailed work which needs to be done to progress the next stages of this project and all of this money is largely spent in Donegal.
NRA 2013 Road Safety Funding Ardara Town & South of Ardara
Cllr Slowey said the Roads Section of Donegal had requested the NRA to provide €110,000 in 2013 for safety works on the Ardara Front Street (€50K) and from the Loughros Point Junction to the Corner past the Filling Station (€60K) south of Ardara. We will not know until February or March 2013 if these projects will be funded next year by the NRA.
The National Cycle Network Western Coastal Route
The Department of Transport sanctioned €500,000 to Donegal County Council in March of this year for a Western Costal Cycle Route. Cllr Slowey said that this route starts in Donegal Town and links Mountcharles, Inver, Ardara, Lettermacaward (connection to Glenties also with a purpose built cycle lane as part of the NRA road project) Dungloe, Burtonport, Crolly, Dunlewey, Gortahork, Dunfanaghy, Creeslough, Glen, Milford, Ramelton, Letterkenny, Manorcunningham and finishing in Newtowncunningham. The first phase of this ambitious project will be completed this year and it is hoped that further funding will be made available in 2013 and subsequent years to finalise this project.
Regional & Local Roads
Work is now completed on the Loughros Point road for this year. Cllr Slowey said it looks like a good job has been done and well worth the upwards of €100,000 spent on it. A section of the Crumlin Road was also resurfaced and it is hoped that further work will be done next year. A section of the Cronkeerin/Ardlougher road was also resurfaced, along with a section of the Maghera Road. A section of the Ardara/Ardaghy road remains to be done as does a section of roadway in Rosbeg at Pound Lake. The Gortnacart Road from the N56 to the Glencoe crossroads has also been completed, in addition to a section of the Mulmusog/Artnagapple road. Resurfacing of a section of the Owenteskna/Largyseeragh road has also been completed. Finally on roads a section of the Ardara/Nairn road at Sandfield towards Kilclooney remains to be done at an approximate cost of €70,000.
Loughros Point Regatta
Cllr Slowey said he wanted to wish this Club well with their Regatta on Sunday the 9th of September. He went on to say that this Club is going from strength to strength and they have plans for the future which will benefit both the young people of the Parish and the town itself.
Tidy Towns/FAS Workers
The Councillor said the flower beds in the new Car Park and the Diamond were a credit to all involved and he thanked them on behalf of the people of the Parish.
All Ireland Final
Cllr Slowey said he wanted to wish Paddy McGrath, Pat Shovlin, Jim McGuinness and the Donegal team well in the final on September 23rd and he thanked all involved with the Ardara GAA Club for the huge voluntary commitment that is given all the year round.
Ends
