Donegal County Council has granted approval to begin works on the Lifford-Castlefin greenway.
The proposed 3m wide pedestrian and cycling route will cover 7.5km alongside the N15 national road. The route is an extension to the Lifford-Strabane Greenway, linking to the wider Northwest Greenway Network (NWGN) funded by the EU’s INTERREG VA programme administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
There will be three new crossing points on the N15 as part of the project, as well as a new dedicated bus stop for the Local Link 288 route from Ballybofey to Derry.
Construction was approved at the July Plenary Council meeting this week, which considered a planning report created following a public consultation.
Among the public observations were submissions received by Ballylast National School regarding the safety of pupils, staff and visitors to the school and the safety of the school entrance in relation to the greenway. Donegal County Council said it would consult with the Board of Management at the detailed design stage of the scheme.
Another submission was received from a resident who objected to the greenway due to the impact it would have on their property, their driveway and the impact on privacy. In response, Donegal County Council said it would review the proposed layout to mitigate the impacts on private property while complying with TII Technical Standards in the interest of road user safety.
The development was given approval by Donegal Planning Services to proceed subject to 10 conditions.
The route will take pedestrians and cyclists from Lifford to Castlefin Partnership Initiative Centre through the townlands of Coneyburrow, Curraghlane, Leggandorragh, Portinure, Wood, Haw, Unshinnagh Lower, Churchtown, Ballybogan, Ballylast, Cloughfin, Magherareagh, Tawnacrom, Stranamuck, Knockrawer, Castlefin.
