Castlefinn to Lifford Greenway maintenance 'not good enough'

Cllr Gary Doherty calls for improved upkeep of the Castlefinn to Lifford Greenway.

The 7.5-kilometre route, officially opened in May 2024, runs from the Community Resource Centre in Castlefinn to the N15 speed limit zone on the edge of Lifford.

The Greenway is safely segregated from the main N15 road and is dedicated to the use of walkers and cyclists.

Cllr Doherty, Sinn Féin, is from Castlefinn and discussed the issue of the Greenway’s limited maintenance, caused by a lack of funding.

“It’s an issue that we need to fix; it’s not good enough,” he said. “We have some sections that are being cared for very well by private individuals and landowners along the route who are coming out and cutting the grass in front of their houses.

“There are other large sections of the Greenway where there was no grass sowed, no wildflowers sowed, so it’s just weeds growing up through it that high that they’re blocking vision lines for motorists.

“It’s something we need a long-term solution for greenway upkeep or maintenance.”

The Greenway cost €3.6 million to construct, which covered walking and cycling paths, three major road crossings, culvert drainage extensions, and structural safety barriers.

The greenway was developed as part of the broader North West Greenway Network Project, and its construction was funded as a collaborative cross-border project with the European Union.