Bridges essential for Development of Donegal

We must see a bridge over the River Swilly and a new Cockhill Bridge if Donegal is to develop, according to Deputy Joe McHugh

Donegal’s development will be hindered unless we see a bridge over the Swilly and a new Bridge in Cockhill, according to Deputy Joe McHugh, following a meeting with council officials.

Commenting on the new Gateway strategy for Letterkenny, McHugh complimented the work of council officials in Donegal but insisted that the bridges must be constructed sooner rather than later.

“The council must be commended for the excellent work they have done in identifying Derry as a key link to the growth of Letterkenny. However, I believe that the Letterkenny-Derry gateway will be hindered unless we see a bridge over the River Swilly and a newly constructed CockhillBridge.”

Infrastructure has been a talking point in Donegal over the past number of years and in Deputy McHugh’s view, the level of investment in infrastructure will determine the growth of the county.

“We need major funding from the government in terms of infrastructural projects and with 29,000 vehicles crossing the Port Bridge every day, it is clear that a bridge over the Swilly should be a primary project. The Bridge is without doubt, extremely critical from a development point of view.”

The Fine Gael T.D. also expressed his concern with the Cockhill Bridge, which has needed upgrading for the past thirty years. He also stated that a new bridge would help the tourism sector in Inishowen. He also believes that Buncrana would benefit hugely from this project.

“The re-construction of the CockhillBridge is critical as it opens up the whole of Inishowen for industry and tourism. Ballyliffen Golf Club and The Isle of Doagh ‘Lapland’ would benefit greatly from this project. The fact of the matter is that we cannot envisage a Letterkenny-Derry gateway, without taking into account the 2^nd largest town in Donegal, Buncrana. A new bridge would further enhance the Letterkenny/Buncrana/Derry link.”

2008 will be a key year in the planning of Donegal’s future and McHugh believes that the decisions taken by both council and government officials will have a major influence in how Donegal, as a county, moves forward.

“The decisions taken this year by council and government officials will have a huge bearing on how Donegal develops. I will be calling for both bridges to be given funding and I also want to see efforts being made to bring a rail link to the county. We have been the paupers at the government table for too long.”

Once again, the Fine Gael deputy is calling on the people of Donegal to back his campaign for improved infrastructure by airing their views on www.donegalmatters.com. “These issues directly affect the public and I want to hear the views of people from all over Donegal.”

Current Reviews: 2 Date: Wednesday 09 January, 2008.

Article Comments

Kathleen Kelly - 23/01/2008
I use Cockhill bridge every day going and coming from work, i think its a discrase that it has been left as long as it has, something must be done.

bsw05 - 11/01/2008
While the need to continue infrastructure development is essential, I wonder if a more imaginative approach may yield larger benefits for Donegal and Ireland. I would like to suggest that instead of building bridges we consider the possibility of actually putting a dam on the swilly to hold back the north sea, roughly where it narrows at dunree. Sounds crazy ? Think on, the energy generated from such a facility would be considerable, significant land would be reclaimed between buncrana and Rathmullen and transportation between the areas radically improved. This would be an amazing and challenging civil engineering project and really help to put the county on the world stage.

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