Access to Melmore Head in Downings, one of Donegal’s scenic coastal routes, is set to be improved next month.
New viewing points and pull-in points are to be added to the route to help with traffic flow.
Donegal County Council received €31,380 in funding as part of Bord Iascaigh Mhara Fisheries Local Area Development Scheme (Flag Funding) for the works along the LP1032 access road to Melmore. As part of the condition of the grant, €20,920 match funding is to be provided by the council.
The works are programmed to be completed by the end of October 2021.
Melmore has experienced significant traffic problems over the past two summers due to the popularity of the area.
The area contains caravan parks and one of Donegal’s most famous beaches, Murder Hole Beach. However, the route generally taken by the public to the beach is via a private field and access is currently prohibited by the land owner.
Donegal County Council was allocated funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2019 to provide a new access trial to the beach. However, the latest update on the project, as of this month, is that the council “need to have open discussion with land owners to get the ORIS 2019 funding spent.”
