Main pic: The location at Navenny, where the proposed new relief road could start.
A local councillor has called for an update on plans for a new multi-million euro inner relief road in Ballybofey.
Cllr Patrick McGowan made the call at today’s meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District (MD) in relation to the proposed Western Link Road.
Donegal Daily revealed in 2021 that a consultancy firm had been appointed to progress the route between Navenny Bridge and Donegal Road. However, Cllr McGowan said he has ‘heard nothing’ since 2022.
The road is not part of the planned Twin Towns Bypass.
If it goes ahead, however, the relief road will connect Navenny Bridge, near Finn Park, to the Donegal Road. As a result, traffic will be able to avoid the Navenny and Glenfin street bottlenecks, before taking the new link road to the bypass.
Late last year, Donegal County Council agreed to purchase the late Dr Frank Mulrine’s house, which sits on one acre, on Donegal Street as part of their plans.
“We have heard nothing since 2022 – between €150,000 and €200 has been allocated for studies, but we’ve seen no reports,” Cllr McGowan said today.
“That Navenny road is ridiculous – anytime there’s a flood the road is closed.”
Senior Roads Engineer with the council, Clare McGeever, told Cllr McGowan that land acquisitions in relation to the proposed route have yet to be completed. As a result, there was no update.
However, Cllr McGowan said the new link road had been discussed ‘years’ before the purchase of Dr Mulrine’s property.
Again, Ms McGeever told Cllr McGowan that the council couldn’t discuss route options until the purchase was complete.
