Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1717. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received plans from Donegal County Council for a new bridge at Cockhill, Buncrana, County Donegal; and if he will provide the funding for same. [34202/14]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including bridges, is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads and bridges are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. Donegal County Council applied to the Department in 2010 for funding (subsequent to the announcement of the grant allocations) under the Specific Improvement Grant Scheme for funds for the Cockhill Bridge Scheme. The projected cost of the project was €2.95m. Given the costs associated with the project it was not possible to approve this application, however, it was recommended that consideration be given to lower costs traffic management options. Given budgetary constraints and the need to prioritise funding for repair and strengthening works, the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed.
The Department did recently contact Donegal County Council to ascertain the up to date position in relation to the Council's evaluation of possible traffic management measures at the bridge. The Department understands from the Council that a number of options were prepared for Cockhill Bridge over a number of years including a new bridge, bridge widening, one-way traffic, a new footbridge and the installation of traffic lights and associated measures. The Department also understands that these options were presented to both the Buncrana Council and the Inishowen Area Council Elected Members but members did not favour pursuing options other than a new bridge. It is now a matter for the Council to decide if it wishes to pursue with the Department one of the options other than the new bridge. If the Council wishes to pursue the new bridge option it can of course do so through using its own resources both for design and construction.
