Archaeological works will not impede Muff-Quigley's Point Greenway

Fears that archaeological works could halt the progress of the Greenway between Muff and Quigley's Point have been allayed.

The matter arose at Monday's meeting of Donegal County Council when the authority had to approve the carrying out of infrastructural works adjacent to the R238 in the Inishowen Municipal District in the townlands of Ardmore, Drumskellan, Ture, Aught, and Three Trees in respect of the Muff to Quigley's Point Greenway.

Cllr Paul Canning asked why they needed to go through the whole archaeological process on this particular stretch as the road was already in place.

"As the man says, that's not virgin soil, it has been worked on. I'm just wondering will the archaeology report hold it back if there are digs and that to be done? If that is the case what is the position with regards to the rest of the Greenway. If that is the case, can we the archaeologist ahead of the whole scheme so it does not hold it up. Are we going to have to wait until there's a full report done on it?"

The council's director of roads and transportation, Bryan Cannon said the council had to consult with various statutory consultees as part of the Part 8 process and the developments application unit at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who review the documentation and make various recommendations. As part of the process, we review them and have to incorporate them into our approvals process."

He added he could accept what Cllr Canning was saying in relation to the fact there were stretches of that road that were not virgin ground.

"However, we feel bound to accept those recommendations. We don't necessarily see it as being particularly burdensome and it shouldn't impede the progress of the works," he added.