County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied)

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 118 Chapter 7 Economic Development

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 119

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 120 Chapter 8 Infrastructure Chapter 8 – Infrastructure 8.1 Transport 8.1.1 Introduction The NPF and the RSES collectively provide a strong national and regional policy context for this Transport chapter. At a strategic level, they recognise the role of Donegal in providing international connectivity (through Killybegs Port, Greencastle Port and Donegal Airport) but, critically, also acknowledge that Donegal is lacking in national and regional connectivity. A strong policy framework is also provided in relation to the need for a significant shift to more active and sustainable modes to help Ireland achieve its mandatory climate action targets under the Climate Action and Low Carbon (Amendment) Act 2021. 8.1.2 International Connectivity Donegal County Council acknowledges the Regional Assembly’s support for Killybegs Port, Greencastle Port and Donegal Airport in the context of the NPF’s ‘National Strategic Outcome 6: High Quality International Connectivity’. The importance of Killybegs and Greencastle Ports, their potential diversification, and how this Plan aligns with the national and regional policy framework, are addressed in detail in Chapters 7: ‘Economic Development’ and 13: ‘Marine Resource, Coastal Management and the Islands’. The policies at the end of this Chapter provide support for, and protect the functionality of, Donegal Airport and City of Derry Airport in the provision of key international, national and regional access to/from the County.

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 121 Chapter 8 Infrastructure 8.1.3 National and Regional Accessibility The NPF’s National Strategic Outcome 2 is for: ‘Enhanced Regional Accessibility’. As noted in the RSES (p.219), ‘both the NPF and the National Development Plan strongly acknowledge that the accessibility from the Northern and Western region (and between centres of scale separate from Dublin) will need to be significantly improved, focused on cities and larger regionally distributed centres and key east-west and north – south routes’. 8.1.3.1 Strategic Roads Network Existing Network Donegal’s strategic road network is identified on Map 8.1.2 and in the Core Strategy. It comprises Trans European Transport Network roads (TEN-T), other National roads and a number of regional roads recognised by the Council as being of strategic importance as these roads facilitate high volumes of vehicular traffic, allowing for the efficient movement of traffic between settlements within and outside of the County. The critical TEN-T network is comprised of the following National Primary Roads (refer Map 8.1.1): • The N15 road from Bundoran and on to Donegal Town and to Ballybofey/Stranorlar; • The N13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar to Letterkenny to Bridgend road (and Derry via the A6); and The N14 Letterkenny to Lifford road (and Strabane via the A5). These routes provide critical connectivity both: ‘ The national road network is a critical enabler in facilitating an island-wide sustainable national transport system. A number of the more strategic routes also form part of the EU TEN-T comprehensive network, providing essential connectivity to regions of the EU. Such high-value assets and amenities need to be protected and their use enhanced for the region and also the country as a whole.’ (RSES, p.219)

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 122 Chapter 8 Infrastructure • To Dublin and the south-east (via the N14 and A5 roads); and to the broader North-West City Region area (with Derry via the N13/A6 route; and with Strabane via the N14/A5 route); and • Along much of the length of the County and to the south and the broader NWRA area and the Atlantic Corridor area (via the N15 and N13 roads) The N15 Ballybofey/Stranorlar to Lifford road, whilst not on the TEN-T network, is a National Primary Road and provides another vital element of the strategic road network in the east of the County. The N3 Ballyshannon to Belleek National Primary Road connects the south east of the County to Dublin and the south-east (via the N4) via Enniskillen. The N56 National Secondary road serving the south, west and north-west and north of the County is a second critical element of the County’s National Roads network. As well as providing a vital transport corridor for the residents and businesses of the area, the road also aligns significantly with the Wild Atlantic Way tourism route. Finally, the Council also recognises the vital importance of the sections of the regional road network identified in Map 8.1.2 as part of the Strategic Road network including: • The R250, R252 and R251 routes connecting the west of the County with the centre and east; • The R238,39 R244, R240, and R241 serving the Inishowen area; and • The R245 between Letterkenny and Milford serving the Fanad and Rossgill peninsulas, respectively; and • The short, but important, stretch of the R263 linking Killybegs and the N56 National Secondary road; and, • The N56 from Inver to Killybegs; and • The regional road network from Carrigans to Rossgier. Table 8.1A below provides an overview of all the components of the Strategic Road Network: Table 8.1A: Strategic Road Network (as shown on Map 8.1.2) N13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar to Letterkenny to Bridgend road TEN-T Network / National Primary N14 Letterkenny to Lifford road TEN-T Network / National Primary N15 Bundoran to Ballybofey/Stranorlar TEN-T Network / National Primary N3 Ballyshannon to Belleek National Primary N15 Ballybofey/Stranorlar to Lifford road National Primary N56 Serving the south, west and north-west and north of the County National Secondary R250, R251 and R252 – connecting the west of the County with the centre and east Regional R238, R240, R241 and R244 – serving the Inishowen area Regional

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 123 Chapter 8 Infrastructure Regional R245 – Letterkenny and Ramelton and connecting the Fanad and Rossgill peninsulas Regional R263 – section connecting Killybegs and the N56. (In recognition of the importance of Killybegs as a regionally significant deep water port, an application has been made to the Department of Transport proposing that the existing National Road in the vicinity of Killybegs is extended to the Port to provide connectivity commensurate with its functions.) Regional Regional Roads – Carrigans to Rossgier Regional Proposed Network Improvement Projects Table 8.1B below details proposed transportation improvement projects across the county, including the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal. Donegal County Council welcomes support in the National Development Plan and the RSES for the following projects: - N56 Dungloe to Glenties and Mountcharles to lnver (RPO 6.6 refers); - N13 Ballybofey Stranorlar Bypass; N13/N14/N56 Letterkenny Bypass and Dual Carriageway to Manorcunningham; and N14 Manorcunningham to Lifford (i.e. Donegal TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal) (RPO’s 3.7.30 and 6.7 refers); And - N13 Manorcunningham to Bridgend/Derry (RPO 6.8 refers). - With regards to the proposed ‘N56 Inver to Killybegs’ project, the Council shall seek to ensure that this project includes bypasses for Dunkineely and Bruckless. TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal (TEN-T PRIPD) The TEN-T PRIPD consists of and prioritises 3 key sections of the TEN-T network in Donegal for improvement namely: • Section 1 – N15/N13 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Urban Region. • Section 2 – N56/N13 Letterkenny to Manorcunningham. • Section 3 – N14 Manorcunningham to Lifford/Strabane/A5 Link (Note: The N14/N15 to A5 link has been approved separately by An Bord Pleanála in 2012 (ABP Ref: 05.HA033 refers). Same may be incorporated (subject to compliance with the requirements relating to Environmental Impact Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and/or Compulsory Purchase) within the

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 124 Chapter 8 Infrastructure upcoming TEN-T PRIPD process for Section 3 or otherwise progressed separately as deemed necessary or appropriate. The preferred route corridors for those sections are now shown on Map 8.1.4, Map 8.1.5 and Map 8.1.6 respectively. The benefits of the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal are significant and wideranging including: • Economic: Facilitating economic growth and allowing Donegal to successfully compete for inward investment by improving the efficiency and capacity of the road network including improving journey time and journey time reliability at a local, regional and national level. • Safety: Reducing the frequency and severity of collisions/improving safety on our national roads and enhancing road safety in towns, villages and rural areas by segregating strategic traffic from local traffic. • Environmental: Reducing air pollution caused by congestive queuing and reducing noise levels near noise sensitive receptors. • Quality of life: Reducing journey times, reducing traffic and thus freeing up road space in our towns and villages for sustainable transport modes (i.e. walking, cycling and public transport), providing new walking and cycling infrastructure as part of the scheme and improving access to health and education services. • Enhancing Regional Accessibility: Improving accessibility to/from Donegal for employers, exporters, tourists and the general public. • Strategic/Cross border: Improving cross border connectivity, unlocking the potential of the North West City Region and the Atlantic Economic Corridor. Furthermore, the strategic importance of this project to the County is highlighted by the fact that: • Enhanced Regional accessibility, including upgrading access to the North-West utilising routes such as the N14 and progressive development of the Atlantic Economic Corridor Northwards by upgrading the N15/N13 link, is a National Strategic Outcome of the National Planning Framework Project Ireland 2040. • The “N15 Ballybofey Bypass”, “N13/N14/N56 Letterkenny Bypass and Dual Carriageway to Manorcunningham” and the “N14 Manorcunningham to Lifford” are all listed as priorities for investment within the National Development Plan 2018-2027. • It is an objective of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Northern and Western Regional Assembly Area to deliver the project by 2028. (Objective RPO 3.7.30 of said document refers). • The project is fundamental to both the success of the North-West City Region and enhanced transport connectivity between Ireland and Northern Ireland, each of which in turn are National Policy Objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPO 45 and 46 of said document refers). The TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal includes: The mainline and all associated temporary and permanent works including, but not restricted to, all junctions, associated link and other new roads, realignment of existing roads necessitated by the Project along with all earthworks, structures and bridges, drainage, signage, construction compounds, borrow pits and deposition areas related to said project. N13 Bridgend to County Boundary Route TEN-T Improvement Project Donegal County Council, in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, is also progressing the N13 Bridgend to County Boundary Route Improvement

8. Page 128

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 125 Chapter 8 Infrastructure Project. The village of Bridgend sits at the southern end of the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal on the most strategically important border crossing in the Northwest. The village is bisected by the N13 / A2 transboundary route The strategic importance of the route is supported by the fact that the N13 transboundary route forms part of the EU TEN-T comprehensive network and is the primary link between Letterkenny and Derry City. This project delivers on the strategies and objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP) and National Planning Framework 2040 (NPF). It aims to improve connectivity between the regional centres of Letterkenny and Derry City, thereby improving access to employment, education, retail, commercial and health services and onward national and international travel. The N13 currently experiences congestion, with high traffic volumes over 19,000 vehicles per day passing through the village and across the border. The high volumes of traffic, in conjunction with the high number of direct accesses to businesses and properties also impact on the safety of this section of the N13, which under the TII collision ranking is consistently ranked as having a collision rate of above or twice above the national average for this type of road. Bridgend is predominantly a car centric congested environment and this in turn contributes to a poor quality village centre, with unreliable journey times when accessing this important border crossing, with an average speed for traffic of 24km/h. Environmentally, traffic congestion results in traffic noise and vibration levels along with poor air quality experienced by sensitive receptors and residents along the existing N13. This improvement will aim to minimise where possible the climate and environmental impact. Supporting National Roads Donegal County Council recognizes the importance of the N56 within Donegal. The N56 has vastly different levels of use as well as different, sometimes multiple, roles and functions across its 157km from Donegal Town in the South to Letterkenny in the North. In summary the N56 can be viewed under three principle heading in respect to its function and operation. Strategic Transport Corridor: The N56 is a critical primary transport corridor into Donegal for all goods, services and people. It is critical for compact, urban growth and development as envisaged under national, regional and local policies. It is key to NPF National Strategic outcomes including under Connectivity and All Island Economy. The route forms a significant part of the Wild Atlantic Way and as such is an important enabler for Tourism. Letterkenny Distributor Road and Interurban Connector: The N56 is a vital transportation corridor within Letterkenny enabling the movement of goods, services and people within the town. It is critical for compact growth, modal shift and economic growth in Donegal’s primary town and urban ‘centre of significance’. It is also a primary connecting corridor between many of the County’s principal towns along the Atlantic coast. Lifeline Route: The N56 is acknowledged by TII in its emerging strategy for the National Roads network (NR2040) as a lifeline route. It is the sole significant access to and from Letterkenny for all vital emergency services, Fire, Hospital, etc. The TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project will provide key alternative access in Letterkenny and reduce the current dependency on this single road artery. Other sections of the rural N56 have similar limited network resilience which means that any operational issues arising can rapidly result in shutdown, significant disruption and loss of all critical / emergency access.

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 126 Chapter 8 Infrastructure The rural section of the N56 (Five-Points Killybegs to Log Cabin Creeslough –OwenCarrow River) has significantly low-traffic volumes and is situated in the most remote part of the County servicing the largest Gaeltacht region in the Country. Rural and Gaeltacht communities in this region have suffered from generational chronic depopulation. Through the current Socio Economic Statement being developed for Donegal this region is classified as the most deprived and disadvantaged region in the State. The Socio Economic Statement for Donegal is the fact based document that forms the basis for policy development in Donegal. Donegal County Council seeks to enable the continued survival of our rural and Gaeltacht communities by allowing, where necessary the appropriate, very limited but essential family access to the N56. The proposed policy has been developed with a clear focus to not in any way disrupt or undermine the current multifaceted and vital operation of the N56. This targeted and controlled policy is a minimal response to a clear social, economic, cultural and linguistic challenge facing this rural and Gaeltacht region of Donegal. This low-volume section of the N56 has been identified by Donegal County Council to comply with the ‘Low Volume’ envelope for ‘exceptional circumstances’ as defined under the National Planning Guidance. The associated planning criteria have been constituted to be very clear, limited in extent, strictly controlled and administered. Supporting Regional and Local Roads Donegal County Council supports the recognition in the RSES that the accessibility of the region also depends upon appropriate management and investment in the supporting regional and local roads, including strategic road improvement projects in urban areas necessary to unlock development opportunities (RSES p.219 refers). Consistent with this approach, this Plan and the emerging Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan identify northern, southern and western strategic multimodal corridors for these purposes, which projects are specifically identified in the ‘Letterkenny Regional Growth Centre Strategic Plan’ in the RSES.

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    County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 127 Chapter 8 Infrastructure ( Reproduced from Fig. 33-Letterkenny Core Projects, NWRA RSES) 8.1.3.2 Rail Donegal County Council welcomes the ongoing ‘All Island Strategic Rail Review’ and has made a submission to the consultation process. The Council also welcomes the statement in the NDP that the Review ‘… will examine all aspects of the inter-urban and inter-regional rail network including decarbonising the railway, the feasibility of higher speeds, increased capacity, improved connectivity to the North- West and the enhancement of the Dublin to Mullingar railway line and the creation of a strategic plan for freight. The Western Rail corridor has the potential to revitalise the West of Ireland and the Strategic rail review will examine how it would be delivered.’ The Council also acknowledges similar aspirations contained in the RSES, and the policies at the end of this Chapter align with this approach. 8.1.3.3 Buses As recognised in RSES RPO 3.7.34, the provision of a Regional Transport Hub in Letterkenny will be a critical enabler of increased public transport usage in the County and beyond. The delivery of this project is being progressed by Donegal County Council with the majority of funding thus far having

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