Ballybofey to Donegal Town greenway is about untapping potential

The Ballybofey to Donegal Town greenway has moved a step closer to becoming a reality following the latest round of public consultations.

Landowners whose property falls within the greenway zone, as well as members of the public and interested parties were invited to attend public consultation meetings. The meetings took place in Ballybofey and Donegal Town on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Staff from Donegal County Council and consultants ROD AECOM were on hand to explain the development process, to discuss people’s concerns and to answer questions.

Among them was Áine McHugh, an engineer with Donegal County Council.

She told Donegal Live: “There was a great turnout and a lot of interest.”

Áine explained that at this stage, an initial wide catchment was being narrowed down. That process would continue until a preferred route was decided.

The blue lines indicate the current area being considered. It wil be further narrowed down as the process continues

Factors taken into consideration include existing roads infrastructure, the natural landscape, conservation zones, and linking to walking routes and amenities already in place.

Áine said: “The reaction has generally been positive. Of course, people have questions about what the impact is for them and we will work that out with them. 

“It is a well established process throughout the country by now so people are familiar with the concept. 

“This is a very good scheme and on the whole, people can see the benefits. You are coming through a very beautiful location. When you are driving, it passes you by so quickly but when you are walking or cycling you can take it all in. 

“The greenway is about untapping all that potential and giving people an alternative for a new way of travelling.”

Áine stressed that the scheme is every bit as much for the benefit of local people as it is for visitors. 

“People who are close by will really be able to tap into it,” she said. 

There will be further meetings as the process continues.

Áine said: “By the next stage, people will be able to see better what is happening. It will mean more to people and they will be able to visualise the landscape they will be passing through.”

Senior Executive Engineer at Donegal County Council Brian Reid welcomed the level of interest shown at the public meetings, particularly from landowners.

He said: “The whole idea is to bring people in before we start designing the route itself, and to take what they have to say into consideration, and then to keep it as sensitive as can be.”

Brian echoed his colleague’s view that the reaction was generally positive. 

“People see the benefits of the proposed greenway,” he said. “They have seen the success of it elsewhere.”

Mayor of Donegal Town Pauric Kennedy is among those who attended the public consultation event, and he took time to chat to many of those who came along.

“I think the benefits will be massive for tourism and for the local economy once it is up and running,” he said. 

“I would love to see a provision that the train could be running along the old track there, and I would hope that possibility wouldn’t be lost to the greenway.

“But it is very positive. And it is great to have these consultations where people get to come along and raise their concerns.”

The Donegal Town mayor has always been an active supporter of events that promote mental health and well being. 

“I believe this greenway will be very good for health and well-being and positivity,” he said.

Local businessman Ray Rooney of Peter’s Man Shop is a keen cyclist, and is raising his family in the Donegal Town area.

He came along to the public consultation event to try and get a flavour of what the proposed greenway had to offer. 

“Anything to get us out in the fresh air and to get us exercising is always a good idea,” he said. 

“I think that any greenway needs to be child friendly and family friendly, and a good distance from the main road.”

Anyone who was unable to attend the public consultation events is still welcome to submit feedback to inform the development of the project. 

Further information on the emerging preferred route corridor and the facility for making an online submission can be found at https://barnesmoregapgreenway.ie

Submissions should be made by Friday, December 8.