About

About the Project

The project aims to provide an attractive trail between the settlements of Letterkenny and Burtonport in County Donegal, mainly to be used for recreational purposes by pedestrians, cyclists and people with impaired mobility. Delivery of such a greenway would not only provide a great recreational facility and social support for local communities, but also draw domestic and international visitors to the area benefitting the social and economic factors in the settlements located along the selected route. It will also act as a valuable corridor providing a safe, sustainable and healthy modal option for all users.

It is anticipated that the provision of a greenway in this location will provide enhanced access to the wider region, enticing users to explore its surrounding towns and villages and further develop the untapped tourism potential within the region. The project also provides the opportunity to highlight the historical and educational significance of such places, whilst promoting the scenic nature of the surrounding area. Furthermore, linking Burtonport and the various rural settlements along the selected route to Letterkenny will greatly improve accessibility.

Project Objectives

Investment in walking and cycling is a key policy objective of the Government. The National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030 recognises the importance of active travel not only in reducing carbon emissions, but also in achieving other national strategic outcomes such as compact urban growth and balanced regional development. Other national policy, such as the Climate Action Plan, National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI), the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, and the National Sustainable Mobility Policy highlight the multi-faceted benefits provided by active travel investment, including carbon emission reductions, physical and mental health benefits, increased tourism and improvements to accessibility and social inclusion.

Scenic, Sustainable, Strategic, Segregated and lots to See and DoSeven primary objectives have been developed for the Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway project, taking into consideration the National Planning Framework and the ‘Five S’ Criteria outlined within the Government’s Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, namely: Scenic, Sustainable, Strategic, Segregated and lots to See and Do.

Project objectives are as follows:

Provide a high-quality, substantially segregated Greenway linking the settlements of Donegal Town, Ballybofey and Stranorlar, as part of the National Cycle Network.

Provide a high-quality, substantially segregated Greenway linking the settlements of Letterkenny and Burtonport in Donegal.

Improve accessibility in, and attractiveness of, the area for use by people of all age groups and abilities.
Improve accessibility and attractiveness of the area for use by people of all age groups and abilities.
Enhance economic growth in the region by increasing visitor numbers and promoting activity tourism in the area.

Promote and enhance economic growth of Donegal by increasing visitor numbers and promoting activity tourism in the area.

Improve integration in the area and create linkages to existing and proposed cycling and walking infrastructure and other public amenities.
Improve integration to walking and cycling infrastructure in the area.
Improve safety and security for vulnerable road users by providing a safe, segregated and attractive route.
Improve safety and security for vulnerable road users by providing a safe, substantially segregated and attractive route.
Minimise, where possible, the environmental impact of the greenway.
To minimise where possible the environmental impact of the greenway.
Support a transition to a zero-carbon society by promoting cycling and walking.
Support a transition to a zero-carbon society by promoting walking and cycling.
These objectives will evolve, and be further refined, over the course of the project life cycle.

What’s Happening Now?

Donegal County Council, with the support of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, has recently commissioned a consultancy services team, ROD-AECOM, to assist in the development of the Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway project.

Following the first non-statutory public consultation the project team are currently in the process of identifying potentially feasible routes and completing our Feasibility Report for the project. A second non-statutory public consultation which will take place later this year.

Please see Public Consultation for more information.