BY JEROME HUGHES
IT is set to be a somewhat tumultuous year in the Finn Valley as road and parking projects begin in Ballybofey/ Stranorlar, with the potential for major traffic congestion.
The implementation of a Stop/Go traffic management system is now underway on the outskirts of Ballybofey along the N15 at McGrory’s Brae.
This road improvement initiative aims to enhance cyclist safety, although completion of the project is anticipated to span nine months.
“Locals will know access routes to avoid the works but most people will have to just bear with it.
“It’s far away enough from us not to be a great concern,” Ballybofey butcher John Gallagher told the Donegal News.
“If traffic does back up in a serious way they will put extra manpower on it to get things moving again at peak hours,’ he said.
John has been running Gallgher’s Quality Meats in Ballybofey town centre since 1994. He claims businesses are more concerned about other projects that are planned for the Twin Towns.
“The main road through the towns is being resurfaced this year. We don’t know what time of the day or night it’s going to happen.
“Hopefully it will take place outside of business hours, at night or early in the morning, or maybe from 6pm on,” he said.
The local butcher also expressed unease about the upcoming project to remove Ballybofey’s main car park which is located directly outside his premises.
“They’re talking about turning it into a green area and moving the car park to a multi-story out the back.
“We have concerns about how that is going to pan out because parking is very important for the retail outlets. This is a market town known for fashion, food and other types of shops that depend on people being able to park.
“There is a good theatre here in Ballybofey/ Stranorlar which can be a late night attraction. It might be a bit scary for people walking in darkness to a multi-story. Anti-social behaviour is not a huge problem in Ballybofey/ Stranorlar but that could change,” warned John.
There seems to be renewed momentum behind the contentious proposal to construct a road bypassing the Twin Towns. In response, John shared his perspective:
“The bypass has been talked about for years. To be honest, we’re not looking forward to it because bypassed towns that didn’t have big tourist attractions haven’t done well.”
Across the bridge in neighbouring Stranorlar, another businessman gave us his take on the aforementioned pressing issues. Drew McCarter, pictured left, runs ‘All Things Nice’ antiques on the Letterkenny Road.
“McGrory’s Brae is dangerous for cyclists as there is currently no hard shoulder. Any improvements on a road like that can only be a good thing.
“If we have to put up with a bit of inconvenience then that’s okay. Again, from here in Stranorlar to Lifford they are putting in cycle lanes and that’s an inconvenience but we have to absorb it to get the benefit.”
It’s clear that Drew has strong opinions on a range of issues.
“I am against the bypass for numerous reasons. I don’t know any town north or south that has benefited from a bypass. Some have turned into ghost towns.
“I prefer to see the hustle and bustle in a town. If I had my way, I’d have traffic wardens standing on roundabouts directing people into towns.
Drew maintains that bypass roads represent another nail in the coffin for traditional retailers that are already struggling due to online shopping.
“The high-street is paying rates, rent and staff while the online operators are getting away scot-free.
“All we’re going to end up with in towns are charity shops, coffee shops, and hairdressers. That’s why I want to see traffic in towns. Whether true or not, when you see traffic it gives the impression of a busy town. If you drive through a town with no traffic, you basically say, well there’s nothing happening here,” claims Drew.
Short-term pain for long-term gain is how the situation in the Twin Towns is summed up by local Chamber of Commerce boss, Dean Gillespie, pictured below,.
“There is always a positive and a negative to all these jobs. At the moment that stretch of road at McGrory’s Brae is dangerous.
“Yes, there will be road works and delays but we have to look at the bigger picture,” stressed Dean.
Motorists familiar with the route will know that the main road running through Ballybofey and Stranorlar has fallen into disrepair. Dean, who’s heading up a busy chamber agenda, has moved to allay fears over potential traffic chaos when work to improve the road begins.
“The main road through the towns will be resurfaced soon. While it feels like it’s never going to happen, it will.
“We had to implement a single lane system through the town last summer for sewerage works. At the start, people thought it was going to be a complete disaster and that it would never be finished. Change is difficult but in the end it went very well,” explained Dean.
While acknowledging that problems are there, Dean insists things are not as bad as some people make out.
“Traffic on Friday evening can be terrible but there are plans, as part of the bypass, for link roads etc. Again, these things take time. While there are some delays, traffic does flow through Ballybofey and Stranorlar as things stand.”
The chamber manager also strikes an upbeat tone when talking about plans to remove Ballybofey’s main car park.
“The current parking area is very useful for the local shops but the new project will deliver a civic amenity.
“The old cinema will be developed into a new office block. When you look at the drawings for the project you’ll see it will greatly enhance the town.
“There’s going to be a multi-story car park directly behind the shopping centre and a walkway to it beside McElhinneys store. The civic space will include a green area, disabled parking, and public toilets which will be a brilliant thing to have back in the town,” insisted Dean.
Having earlier expressed some scepticism about certain local projects, butcher John Gallagher remains optimistic that it will all work out well in the end, if previous experience is anything to go by.
“There was considerable work done in 2023 on the main street in Ballybofey and Stranorlar. We got new sewerage piping which will hopefully allow for further development and enhancement,” concluded John.
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