Proposed N56 improvement works are vital for the future of the region

A scheme to improve the main road from Inver to Killybegs needs to be resurrected to make the region attractive to investors.

That is according to Cllr Noel Jordan (SF) who put forward the following motion at the December meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal: “With the Mountcharles to Inver road scheme completed, this Municipal District calls on the TII and Department of Transport to complete the remainder of the scheme from Inver to Killybegs.”

Cllr Jordan said there had previously been plans for an upgrade of the entire route from Mountcharles to Killybegs. However, it was divided up so that it could be done in sections, and the most urgent - Mountcharles to Inver - was completed after much campaigning.

The councillor believes there are some further sections that need urgent attention and that not doing them will significantly hamper investment.

“We all know what it would mean,” he said. “We have one of the biggest fishing ports in Ireland in Killybegs. There is quite a huge amount of talk about investment for  wave energy and wind energy but they are telling us that they will not invest until that road infrastructure is improved. 

“The cruise ships are a huge boost to this end of the county. 

“But the biggest aspect around this I think is that there is quite a big bit of this scheme around Dunkineely, Killaghtee and Bruckless and there is no room on that road. It doesn’t allow for anybody walking or cycling. 

“There are quite a number of accidents on that road.

“If we can get seed money to resurrect this scheme we can really look at the design aspect of it. We could look at splitting up the scheme and doing the worst parts.

“If we have major investment and the right road infrastructure there will be more people wanting to live in an area. People will want to buy here and invest here and live here if they can get to work quickly.”

The motion was seconded by Cathaoirleach of Donegal MD, Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind). She had recently raised the issue with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Cllr Kennedy said: “Two routes were selected for that bypass between Dunkineely and Killaghtee. Those two routes are hampering houses being built, etc. It would be timely that one route would be selected before the next County Plan.”

She drew attention to there being three national schools and four churches as well as housing estates and community facilities along that stretch, and nowhere for pedestrians to walk safely.

Cllr Kennedy also pointed out that thousands of HGVs carried hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fish from the port of Killybegs, adding to the need for a major upgrade of the road infrastructure. 

The councillor added: “It is one of three ports on western seaboard with services for landing wind turbines. 

“To think of them moving through the villages of Dunkineely and Bruckless is just not feasible. The size of turbines is being increased again.”

Director Designate of Donegal MD Garry Martin agreed, but said the days of large turbines coming in might be coming to an end. 

“I would say in 20 years that we would be a net energy exporter and Killybegs would be a huge part of that,” he said. 

Mr Martin stressed that it was important to focus on developing road, electricity and gas networks to be ready for what was coming down the line.

He voiced his support for the motion,saying it was timely in light of plans for the future of the south Donegal region. 

“We are trying to envisage what we need in Donegal in 20 years,” said Mr Martin.

Cllr Jordan thanked Cllr Kennedy, Mr Martin and the council executive for their support.