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.
The Need for the Project
The N56 provides the main access route to the port of Killybegs and to west of the county. Killybegs is one of the country’s largest fishing ports and during the fishing season the N56 carries large volumes of heavy goods vehicles to and from the port. In recent times Killybegs port has acted as a base for oil exploration off the Irish coast. With the exception of a short section between Inver Village and Dunkineely, the N56 between Mountcharles and Killybegs is narrow, poorly aligned and generally unsuitable for large vehicles.
The need for the upgrading the N56 between Mountcharles and Killybegs is identified in the County Donegal Development Plan 2000. The National Road Needs Study commissioned by the National Roads Authority identifies this section of the N56 as needing improvement and lists it as a Backlog Phase need. The National Development Plan re-affirms that there will be improvements on National Secondary Routes including N56 (Letterkenny/Dungloe/Donegal).
Description of the Project
The proposed project involves the design and construction of approximately 15.25km of new National Secondary Road from the end of the recently completed Mountcharles Bypass to link in with the R263 Regional Road to Killybegs at the Five Points junction.
A number of options were assessed during the Route Selection process and a Preferred Route has been identified.
The project starts at the end of the Mountcharles Bypass adjacent St. Peter’s Lough. The preferred route generally follows the line of the existing N56 with some short localised offline sections until it reaches Inver Bridge. From Inver Bridge the preferred route follows the existing N56 to Ardaghey Glebe were the preferred route then moves offline continuing on a direct route to the five points which passes approximately 2.5 km North of Dunkineely. The preferred route passes through the townlands of Coolshanagan, Drumfin (ED Inver), Tawnygorm, Drummeenanagh (ED Inver), Drumrainy, Lisavaddy, Casheltown, Calhame and Gilbertstown. The preferred route then rejoins the existing N56 in the townland of Cashelreagh Glebe and it remains approximately along the line of the existing road from there to the Five Points junction.
Current Status
The Route Selection Report was adopted by Donegal County Council at its meeting on 10th December 2007.
The scheme is now being developed in two sections, Mountcharles to Inver (Phase 1) and Inver to the Five Points (Phase 2). Donegal County Council have completed the preliminary design / statutory procedures for Phase 1 of this scheme. This involved preparation of the preliminary design, detailed environmental assessments and preparation of the Compulsory Purchase Order.
The Elected Members of Donegal County Council have approved Part 8 Planning for this scheme, N56 Mountcharles to Inver, on 28th July 2008.
The Compulsory Purchase Order for the Mountcharles to Inver section was made on 17th September 2008 and was published on 20th August 2009. The CPO has now been confirmed by An Bord Pleanála and became operative on 2nd June 2010. Donegal County Council are now proceeding to acquire the lands included in the CPO.
An Archaeological Testing Contract has been tendered for this project and is expected to be completed in September/ October of 2010.
NRDO staff will shortly begin the tender process for selection of an Engineering Consultant to prepare tender documents for the construction contract.
Scheme Update
An Bord Pleanala convened an Oral Hearing into the scheme which took place on 17th and 18th November 2009. The Board will now consider the Compulsory Purchase and will issue a decision in due course.
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 or Thomas Fox, Executive Engineer
Last Updated
23/08/10