By Chris Ashmore
AN estimated €1.5 million will be paid to contractors for works on the controversial Active Travel Project between the Hospital Roundabout and Knocknamona Roundabout in Letterkenny next year.
It is also estimated that there will be an allocation of €3.75 million to be spent in 2026 on the Letterkenny Traffic Management and Active Travel works from the Polestar Roundabout to the Creamery Roundabout at Ballyraine, which has also attracted a lot of public comment.
The figures were released to Mayor of Letterkenny Cllr Ciaran Brogan this week, and he has now called for a “bigger conversation” regarding the town’s traffic issues, He has suggested that the provision of bus lanes should also be examined.
Looking further ahead, the contractor costs on the Circular Road Active Travel Scheme in Letterkenny in 2027 are estimated at €2 million, with €1 million for contractor payments on the Ballyraine Road.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Cllr. Brogan questioned the value of the works to the town, and added: “I do not believe the schemes in their current format are best serving the people who we represent in Letterkenny and Donegal.”
He has also expressed concern about the impact of the Active Travel schemes on the emergency services, and their ability to get in and out of the town, especially at peak periods.
Consultant fees of €100,000 in total have also been identified for the Active Travel schemes on the Ballyraine and Ballymacool roads as well in 2026.
Cllr. Brogan also pointed out that a response is still awaited from the National Transport Authority for a meeting on transport related issues in Letterkenny.
In particular, given that the town has no rail link and that bus services are expanding – including the successful local link – a proposed new transport hub in the town will be very important, and bus – and possibly taxi – lanes will need to be looked at.
A new town bus service is also being planned.
More than €20 million has already been spent on Active Travel projects around Donegal over the past three years.
The bulk of the Active Travel projects are being funded by the National Transport Authority, with more than €18.5 million having been spent while a small number of projects are being funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with in excess of €1.76 million spent last year alone.
In total there are 108 Active Travel projects in the county.
All the Active Travel projects in the county will be rolled out by Donegal County Council using a variety of contractors.
The projects generally involve the construction of cycle lanes, widened footpaths and pedestrian crossings and bridges where necessary.
In Letterkenny alone, there are ten Active Travel projects either underway or at some stage of advanced planning.
The figures were supplied to Cllr. Brogan who tabled a question on Active Travel costs at the November meeting of Donegal County Council.
