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Disappointment at stalled bridge works
19.02.09
by Damian Dowds,
Inishowen Independent
WHILE preparatory work near the Mill Bridge in
Buncrana was completed before Christmas, it is now
clear that long-promised construction work on the
bridge itself will not proceed in 2009. At the
recent Buncrana Town Council meeting Councillor Joe
Doherty tabled a question asking that, in light of
the €1 million allocation for the town’s inner
relief road, when would work on the construction of
the Mill Bridge take place.
The written response from the Council said that the
€1 million will be used to fund outstanding balances
for work completed in 2008, the construction of
appropriate traffic calming measures by the Sliabh
Sneacht estate, completion of the link between
Sliabh Sneacht and the Cassey Road, and the
completion of works on the Rocky Town Road. |
“It’s very obvious that
work on the Mill Bridge won’t be started,” Cllr
Doherty said. “It’s a non-starter and I’ve very
disappointed. I’m delighted with the work that has
gone on near it, but this bridge is one of the main
arteries into the town and after all these
discussions with engineers, I’m severely
disappointed.”
Town Mayor Dermot McLaughlin welcomed the work that
is to be done at Sliabh Sneacht and Rocky Town, and
said he hoped the balance of the €1 million could be
spent on the bridge. Meanwhile, Donegal County
Council has confirmed that traffic lights will be |
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installed at two major
road junctions in Buncrana, namely, the junction of
the Cassey Road and Cockhill Road and at Cockhill
Bridge. Inishowen councillors allocated funding to
both locations in 2008 and designs were progressed
by the Council’s roads Department.
“At the Causeway (Cassey) Road junction the proposed
signals will aim to provide improved capacity
through the junction and have been designed to
reduce queues, improve safety and improve pedestrian
facility, and will incorporate a pedestrian crossing
on the Cockhill Road,” a council spokesperson said.
“At the Cockhill Bridge the proposals aim to address
the concerns raised by residents relating to
pedestrian safety - in particular to allow
pedestrians to safely cross the bridge - while also
addressing the traffic safety and priority issues
presented by the narrow bridge.” Works are due to
commence in the coming weeks and the plans for both
locations may be viewed by contacting Donegal County
Council Roads Section at Carndonagh Public Services
Centre or at the Civic Offices, Buncrana. |
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