Bypass 'Good To Go' Says Coughlan

By Eamonn McFadden

Tuesday 7th March 2006

(by kind permission of the Donegal Democrat)

The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan T.D., speaking about the new road layout on the Ballyshannon section of the N15 bypass said that "in the context of traffic management, I have been assured by the NRA that the Traffic Volume Model for the road is projected until 2024, which is deemed more than adequate.

I have also been assured all traffic movements have been catered for and as always this will be reviewed on a regular basis by the NRA".

Minister Coughlan added that a meeting is planned to take place this week in relation to "accommodation issues" of traffic at the bypass junctions. "There are other accommodation issues to be finalised and I am led to believe these will be concluded in a meeting between the NRA and the Town Council this week in relation to traffic issues".

Minister Coughlan was reacting to comments from Councillor Barry O'Neill that the work should be halted and a new roundabout to be put in place before the remaining section of the bypass opens in mid-April. He also claimed the junctions on the opposite side of the bypass will have problems compounded by local traffic from the East Port and will also converge on to the old Station Road to get on to the Belleek road. Councillor O'Neill also criticised the layout of the bypass for not catering adequately for people travelling on the N3 to get to Rossnowlagh, then they would have to take to original route through the town.

Concluding Minister Coughlan said "after almost EUR70 million of a contract, it is an inappropriate comment from Councillor Barry O'Neill to be screaming on safety issues, vis a vis, the bypass. This is not a safety issue, it is a traffic management issue, so I will call on the National Roads Authority (NRA) to open the bypass on its completion, which is due approximately by this Easter".

Clr Barry O'Neill responded: "We will get our chance on Monday next to speak to the NRA and there is a public meeting on this Sunday night in Ballyshannon at 9p.m. to hear the views of the people of Ballyshannon on this and while I am convinced that there is a major problem here, I will be guided by the views of the people of the locality and will take my cue from the people from Ballyshannon and environs.

"In my view, however, it is not safe and that is my only reason for raising this entire issue. I don't want to be coming back to the Minister or the media next June or July doing a 'I told you so' at someone's bedside or funeral. To change this now will not take that much time or money in the overall context of this otherwise scheme - we've have waited over 20 years - what difference another two months or three just to get it absolutely right. This is not a witch hunt on my behalf,I am genuinely worried for people's safety. I feel it is a mistake if it goes ahead in its present format --although it is late in the day, can still be avoided."



This article has been produced here by the kind permission of The Donegal Democrat




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