Donegal-Dublin, Galway roads in new vision - McHugh

Routes included in the draft National Planning Framework 2040 include Letterkenny-Lifford Road and A5

Government also backs Donegal-Derry/Strabane links

Chief Whip says commitment is breakthrough into finally connecting North West with rest of country

DONEGAL TD and Government Minister Joe has hailed what he has called a breakthrough in connecting the county to the rest of the State.

It follows the decision by Cabinet yesterday where a section on increasing accessibility to the North West was included in the Government’s draft National Planning Framework 2040.

The much-heralded document said the Government is committed to:

* Upgraded access to the North-West border area, utilising existing routes (N2/N14/A5).

* Upgrade northern sections of the N4 route and sections of the N3/M3 national primary route.

* Progressive development of the Atlantic Economic Corridor from Galway northwards by completion of the M17/M18, upgrading sections of the N17 northwards, where required and upgrading the N15/N13 link.

The plans now go out for public consultation until November and Minister McHugh is urging the people of Donegal to make submissions.

“The inclusion of the infrastructure projects in this Government’s National Planning Framework 2040 is a breakthrough moment for Co Donegal. This is the first national plan to do so,” said Government Chief Whip McHugh.

“I was delighted to be part of the Cabinet which agreed these plans on Tuesday and for me the inclusion of the upgrade of the road from Letterkenny to Lifford and on to Aughnacloy and through Monaghan to Dublin is the best news this county has had in years.

“Taoiseach Leo Varadkar understands the unique position of Donegal; and over and over again in the past few months he has committed to putting plans in place for infrastructure.

“This also includes the N15 and the Twin Towns by-pass and the N13 from Stranorlar to Derry via Manorcunningham.”

Also included in the National plan is the North West Strategic Growth Partnership described in the report as “the first of its kind on the island of Ireland and represents a new approach to joined- up government that has the potential to bring about real and positive change for the region.”

Jointly led by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, the Partnership has been endorsed by both governments through the North South Ministerial Council and is made up of senior government officials from all Government departments in the Republic of Ireland and North West City Region.

Minister McHugh added: “The 151 page report is worth reading; it’s a blueprint for the future, increasing connectivity not just between Donegal and the rest of the Republic but also between Donegal and the North. I would urge everyone to take some time to read it and respond to the public consultation process.”

Over the next number of weeks, until 3 November, the public will have a chance to review what is essentially the long-term strategic planning framework for our country’s future growth and prosperity. Ireland 2040 – Our Plan will guide national, regional and local planning opportunities throughout our Republic together with investment decisions for at least the next two decades.

Minister Eoghan Murphy said:“What we hope to achieve with Ireland 2040 – Our Plan is a shared vision and ambition for what our country could look like by 2040. We’ve been through a period of profound change in our recent history, with new challenges to come. We now have to plan for our future if we are to successfully navigate the challenges of population growth, demographic change and evolution in work and life practices that are on the way.”

“Continuing our growth and development patterns according to the status quo and without a coordinated plan is no longer an option. By aligning our spatial planning with our investment decisions – by aligning the National Development Plan with a ten year National Investment Plan – we will for the first time have a meaningful planning framework that people can have confidence will deliver for their communities.”

Written submissions can be made between Wednesday 27th September and 12 noon on Friday 3rd November by:

1. Going on-line:- just log on to our website www.Ireland2040.ie and follow the instructions provided;

2. Email to the following email address only npf@housing.gov.ie

3. Writing to the following address: NPF Submissions, Forward Planning Section, Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin D01 W6X0.

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