PLANS for a car park in Dunfanaghy, which will ease traffic congestion on the town’s Main Street, are progressing with a decision on funding due to take place in November.
The Dunfanaghy Area Community Network DACN recently sent a deputation to a meeting of the Glenties Municipal District where its members were given full support for the project.
The deputation sought support from the Glenties area Councilors in relation to three specific issues. They were a new much needed car park for Dunfanaghy; By-laws to address casual trading in the village and related parking congestion; and a new village enhancement scheme for Dunfanaghy that will correct and address some of the past problems such as the dreaded “Pinch Point” on upper main street.
DACN have been gifted a piece of land at the top of the village and after a lot of negotiating have the option to buy another parcel of land at a sacrificial price.
These lands combined would allow space for approximately 50 cars plus a new bring bank site which will replace the current one behind the Market House.
At the meeting Anne MacNamara, a Network member, told councillors that ad hoc street trader parking in the town was creating a “negative visual image” and a “dangerous situation”.
The Network urged the Council to put casual trading by-laws in place to support town centres like Dunfanaghy. The value of the market to Dunfanaghy was emphasised and the community is keen to see it sustained.
Gerard Dalton, Chairperson of DACN said: “the Network recognise there are four designated areas for casual trading in the county, Bundoran, Ballyshannon, Killybegs and Letterkenny.”
Mr Dalton requested that Dunfanaghy be used as a test case for the development of by-laws.
“We are trying to maximize the potential of our town going forward and limit the problems we have had in the past,” he said.
The Council have agreed that the “Pinch Point” where the upper main street has a shortfall in width for parked cars and two-way traffic will be corrected in the near future.
At the MD meeting the Network got unanimous support from Council Members for the purchase of the additional lands and the creation of the 50 space car park from its capital budget which will be agreed in late November.
DACN is a voluntary community umbrella group which was established with support from the Community and Enterprise section of Donegal County Council.
Cllr Seamus O Domhnaill said he is very confident the project can be progressed in 2018 and confirmed the councillors have requested it to be included in the capital budget for next year.
Cllr O Domhnaill said: “For the last number of years the traffic problems have been getting worse largely due to tourists arriving. Most other towns in the area such as Falcarragh and Creeslough have had their car parks upgraded.”
Cllr O Domhnaill said the new car park will allow tourists to stop and shop rather than driving onto the next town.