56 Dungloe to Glenties (Kilraine)
Last Updated 24/01/2012
Introduction
The National Secondary Route N56 links the towns of Donegal in the South West of the County with Letterkenny in the North East via the towns of Mountcharles, Dunkineely, Ardara, Glenties Dungloe, Loughanure, Gweedore, Gortahork, Falcarragh. Dunfanaghy, Creeslough and Kilmacrenan.
Much of the area served by the existing N56 is sparsely populated and as such traffic volumes are relative low making economic justification of major projects difficult. While some improvement works have been carried out in recent years, much of the existing route remains at a relatively low standard. These sections tend to be the most difficult to address and large scale improvements are needed to tackle the remaining deficiencies.
The Need for the Project
The existing N56 between Dungloe and Glenties falls short of the standard expected for a national route. For much of the route the existing road is approx. 5.5m – 6.0m wide. A lot of the road is characterised by sharp bends, often found in combination with sharp crests and dips. The Meenacarn Bends (2km) and Gweebarra Bends (5.2km) sections are particularly problematic.
The existing road is mainly a bog rampart road and features such as hard strips, shoulders or verges are rarely present. This forces large vehicles to keep speeds very low to reduce the risk of toppling off the road edge.
Accesses are frequent, and include public roads, commercial access, private access and field accesses. They are made up of a combination of priority at grade junctions and priority junctions incorporating right turning lanes. For many of the existing access points visibility is well below standard.
When the above factors are considered in combination it all points to a national road that offers a relatively low level of service.
Type 3 Single Carriageway (T3SC) Pilot Project
Lightly trafficked national secondary routes on the western seaboard often pass through highly scenic and environmentally sensitive areas. Such routes are often poorly aligned and narrow with frequent junctions/ accesses. Full scale improvements to reduced single or standard single carriageway standard would be difficult to justify from an economic perspective and would most likely result in unacceptable environmental impact. The Type 3 Single Carriageway road type (T3SC) is a lower standard than the reduced single carriageway and is being considered as an alternative option for improvements to these routes that takes into account both the low traffic volumes and the receiving environment.
The section of the existing N56 from Dungloe to the Kilraine junction south of Glenties fits the criteria that the T3SC is aimed at. An analysis of traffic suggested it would be suitable as a T3SC pilot project and, following an application by Donegal County Council, it has been selected by the National Roads Authority as one of four pilot sites nationwide.
Description of the Project
The proposed project involves the design and construction of approximately 27km of new National Secondary Road from Dungloe to the Kilraine junction south of Glenties. The scheme also includes the provision of a cycletrack for it’s full length.
Three Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated under the EU Habitats Directive are located in the area. West Donegal is characterised by large areas of blanket bog underlain by granite rock. Residential and commercial development, in some instances very close to the existing road edge, is commonplace along the route.
In keeping with the design philosophy of the T3SC road type to minimise environmental impact it is intended that improvements will be focused in the first instance on widening of the existing road. Where widening is not feasible short stretches of offline works will be developed.
Current Status
The project is being developed by Donegal County Council staff in the National Roads Design Office in Donegal Town, with specialist consultants being employed when considered necessary. A preliminary design has been developed and an environmental assessment of this design has been carried out.
Public consultations took place on 28th September (Dungloe Public Services Centre) and 29th September (Glenties National School Sports Hall) to present the proposals to the public.
An Bord Pleanála issued a Direction in October 2011 (Ref. 05.HD0022) that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was required for the Leitirmacaward to Glenties (Kilraine) section of the project. The scheme is now being developed in three sections.
Section 1: Dungloe to Cloghbolie
An Bord Pleanála have directed that an EIS is not necessary for this section. Planning Approval for this section will be progressed under the Part 8 Planning Process early in 2012.
Section 2: Cloghbolie to Boyoughter
An Bord Pleanála have also directed that an EIS is not necessary for this section. The Council have been separately progressing this 3.3km section (includes the Meenacarn Bends) and Part 8 planning approval was confirmed at the Donegal County Council meeting on 30th May 2011 (follow the link below to see the proposed layout).
N56Cloghbolie to BoyoughterDrawings.pdf
Donegal County Council have also commissioned an Appropriate Assessment for this advance section in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive. The Appropriate Assessment has concluded a Finding Of No Significant Impact. Click on the link below to see the Appropriate Assessment.
Appropriate Assesment
Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers have been appointed for the detailed design and supervision of the construction of the project. The Tender process is now completed and arrangements are being made for a construction start by end January 2012. Fox Building and Engineering Ltd. from Omagh, Co. Tyrone have won the construction contract.
Section 3: Leitirmacaward to Glenties (Kilraine)
This scheme is a sub-threshold development, i.e. a mandatory Environmental Impact Statement is not required however because of potential impacts on SACs An Bord Pleanála have issued a Direction to prepare an EIS for the section from Leitirmacaward to Glenties (Kilraine).
The Environmental Impact Statement and Compulsory Purchase Order are now complete and have been submitted to An Bord Pleanála for their consideration (Follow the link below to see a copy of the Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Impact Statement).
Non Tech Summary of EIS
The Environmental Impact Statement is available for inspection/ purchase between the hours of 9.00am to 12.30pm and 1.00pm to 4.30pm on working days (Monday to Friday) between 19th December 2011 and 17th February 2012 at:
· Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford.
· The National Roads Design Office, Public Services Centre, Donegal Town.
· Donegal County Council Public Services Centre, Gweedore Road, Dungloe.
Submissions may be made in writing to An Bord Pleanála at 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 in relation to the likely effects on the environment of the proposed road development between 19th December 2011 and 17th February 2012. Same must be accompanied by a fee of €50 which is payable to the Board in accordance with Section 144 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended.
A Natura Impact Statement has also been prepared in relation to this project and is available for inspection/ purchase with the Environmental Impact Statement at the times, dates and locations outlined above.
Further Information
Any enquiries should be forwarded to the National Roads Design Office at the Donegal Public Services Centre, Drumlonagher, Donegal Town or telephone (074) 9724500 for Brendan O’Donnell, Senior Executive Engineer, Fergus Towey, Executive Engineer or Martin Gallagher, Assistant Engineer or alternatively e-mail design@dnrdo.ie