AMBITIOUS regeneration plans for Letterkenny will bring significant investment for residents, businesses and tourists, a leading consultant has said.
The Market Square, the town’s former courthouse and Lower Main Street are among areas in line for major development under Letterkenny 2040 Regeneration Plans in a bid to make the town more accessible and attractive.
A major new enterprise centre will also be developed in Letterkenny as part of the plan.
Details of the Letterkenny 2040 Regeneration Plan were launched in the Radisson Blu Hotel on Tuesday. It followed a series of public consultation events last year.
The Paul Hogarth Company are lead consultants on the project. Speaking to the Donegal News, its Director, James Hennessey, said the overall vision is one of enhancement for Letterkenny town centre.
He said the plan is people-centred.
“Main Street is really important for businesses. It’s a very busy place but we’re concerned it’s dominated by cars. People tend to jump out of their cars and back in without spending any great time in the area. We’re looking at a public realm project to enhance the town, occasionally enabling it to be closed for events/special occasions so it can be more pedestrianised.”
Mr Hennessey said tackling dereliction in Letterkenny is very much to the forefront of the plan. He said it is hoped the plans remove stigma around living in a town centre environment.
“Lower Main Street is a big issue, there are lots of derelict buildings. There’s a series of proposals to redevelop individual properties to restore them but then to create them back into town houses for people to live in.”
Under plans, Port Road and Pearse Road could see the introduction of boulevards, street trees, cycle lanes and sustainable urban drainage.
With an eye on climate change, the regeneration plan also includes a wetlands proposal to redevelop a large town centre area prone to flooding into a major park.
Transport and infrastructure are also central to plans. Mr Hennessey said a transport hub, potentially located on Pearse Road, will create a ‘one stop shop’ for bus services, taxis, private buses and cycling.
With some projects already underway, it is hoped all if not the majority will be brought to fruition by 2040.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Asked about feedback to the plans, Mr Hennessey admitted many are dismayed by local levels of dereliction and a lagging of infrastructure.
He said, however, he was confident that these projects will get off the ground.
“The project is funded by the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and is match-funded by Donegal County Council. We have had two successful funding packages. The council have been really good at successfully getting funding, and because the funding has been committed, it has to be spent and it has to be spent on what it was applied for.
“I am confident we are going to see real change happening in the relatively short term in Letterkenny. I think there can be a good degree of confidence that change is coming to Letterkenny and that is really exciting.
“This project is all about people. We want to see that buzz in the town. We have had a lot of people talking about passing through Letterkenny, but this is about getting people wanting to be be in Letterkenny town centre.
Mr Hennessey said the Letterkenny’s longstanding traffic issues will be met face on under the new plan.
“The plan includes proposals for a big strategic road infrastructure and that is needed because the traffic chokes the town and that doesn’t help with the perception that Letterkenny is not a town to have a longer stay in.
“We also need to help local people to get out of their cars, and to do that they need good public transport and really good cycle lanes that are safe and easy to use. School kids told us that they would love to cycle but at the minute it is just not safe for them to do so.”
VIEWS ON PLANS
One man said he liked the idea of a major park.
“I come from a village that didn’t think it had any natural resources and ignored the fact it had a river. As we all discovered during Covid, we need parks and we need recreation.”
He said he hoped the plans removed Letterkenny’s perceived label as a solely commercial town.
“It has been thought of as up one street, down one street. When town centres are deserted it is very hard to build them up again. These plans show a positive step towards that.”
A 17-year-old student of Errigal College said he was really excited by the cycle-way and greenway plans. He said he believes if the regeneration plans come to fruition, more young people would be encouraged to live and work in Letterkenny.
“We’ve talked about city status for the North West region, and I feel that Letterkenny has the potential to become a partner to Derry and Sligo. It is poised in a perfect position to be the next city of Ireland. What stands out to me in the plan is the investment and infrastructure because that has been lacking. In terms of transport, I am disappointed the plan does not include rail. Letterkenny has been deprived of such a valuable service for over 60 years and I think the county council should push for it because rail is really how Ireland will be brought into the 21st Century.
“As a young person, I am one of the few people I know interested in this kind of thing. Other young people may just want to finish their education and leave but I see potential here in Letterkenny. Urban planning is one of the most important things in modern life that is overlooked. It shapes so much about how we live, work and who we are friends with.”
Another viewer of the plans said he could see many positives.
“At the time of the building boom there was a chance for real change in Letterkenny and an opportunity to do things differently but it wasn’t done.
“I see many positives in this plan and I hope what is set out is achieved.”
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