Donegal County Council has received planning approval for two new footbridges.
Local Fianna Fail Councillor, Patrick McGowan, says he welcomes progress in relation to both the Milltown footbridge (main picture) at Crossroads, Killygordon and at Sessiaghoneill, Ballybofey.
Part 8 planning permission was granted during the week to the local authority.
At Crossroads, local community group Crossroads and Killygordon Enterprise (CAKE), have already secured more than €100,000 in funding for the much needed pedestrian structure at the narrow, and busy, Milltown bridge.
“This crossborder road serves the local Red Hughs GAA pitch, Monellan Wood walks and Gleneely NS,” Cllr McGowan said.
“A footpath has already been constructed from Monellan woods down to Milltown bridge by funding secured by Red Hugh’s GFC and the CAKE committee. Both committees were grateful to local land owners for giving permission.”
Cllr Patrick McGowan
Wallace Doherty Consulting Engineers were commissioned by Donegal County Council to design the Milltown footbridge.
The proposed structure is to be situated on the eastern side of the existing stone arch road bridge near the junction of Monellan Road and Creamery Road and will span the 6m wide river which is a tributary of the River Finn.
The current road bridge comprises a single span stone arch bridge with stone parapet walls on each side.
The width between the parapet walls is on average 5.5 metres, making it unsuitable for pedestrians and cars to use at the same time.
To the south of the bridge, Monellan Road provides access to Red Hugh’s GAA playing pitches as well as a number of residential properties where a new footpath has been partially constructed to adjoin with the proposed footbridge.
To the north, an existing footpath exists adjacent to the Donegal Creameries/Aurivo plant a short distance from the existing bridge.
The overall span of the proposed steel bridge will be approximately 18 metres to reach the set back abutments on the north and south banks of the river.
In addition, Part 8 planning was also granted for a footbridge at Sessiaghoneill, between SuperValue and the local church.
Cllr McGowan said a funding application will be made by the Lifford Stranorlar MD road office now that planning has been approved.
“It is a good day for pedestrians at both locations and both footbridges will encourage both the elderly and young to head out walking without being afraid of being knocked down by vehicles while crossing these very narrow stone arched bridges,” said Cllr McGowan.
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