N15 Corcam Bends Road Scheme

Public Consultation No.2

Donegal County Council, with Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers appointed as technical advisors, are currently finalising the Phase 2 Options Selection Stage for the N15 Corcam Bends Road Scheme. Following the first public consultation on the project held on 20^th April 2023, on the Constraints and Options, the purpose of this Public Consultation No. 2 and information leaflet is to inform the public and stakeholders of the N15 Corcam Bends Road Scheme and to invite submissions on the Emerging Preferred Option now being considered.

Purpose of the Project

The N15 Corcam Bends Road Scheme commences to the east of Stranorlar and continues approximately 1.5km east.

This section of the national primary network is significantly below standard for a National Road. The sub-standard horizontal alignment is characterised by a series of sharp bends and reduced forward visibility, and the cross-section is narrow with limited roadside verges and no provision for pedestrians or cyclists. These deviations from standards have created a hazardous environment which is evidenced by the collision record for this section of road. The collision rate for this section of road is above average and above the targets set in the Road Safety Strategy. The road environment discourages walking or cycling, and it places those who do choose to walk or cycle in a high-risk environment.

Progress to date

Following the Constraints Study and Stage 1 Options Assessment (long list of options), when three Do Something Options plus the Do Minimum were identified, and considering the feedback received during the first public consultation, a Stage 2 Option Assessment involving a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) has now been carried out. The Multi-Criteria Analysis has been carried out in accordance with the Department of Transport published Transport Appraisal Framework Appraisal Guidelines for Capital Investments in Transport. The Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) establishes preferences between scheme options by reference to an explicit set of criteria and objectives, as outlined below;

• Transport User Benefits and Other Economic Impacts
• Accessibility Impacts
• Social Impacts
• Land Use Impacts
• Safety Impacts
• Climate Change Impacts
• Local Environmental Impacts

Your Feedback

The Project Team now invites you to offer comments and views on the Emerging Preferred Option. Your comments will assist Donegal County Council and the Project Team in finalising the Options Study, confirming a Preferred Route and informing the design development of the N15 Corcam Bends Road Scheme.

Submissions can be made by email or in writing at the addresses below:

N15 Corcam Bends Road Scheme

National Roads Office,

Donegal County Council,

Public Services Centre,

Drumlonagher,

Donegal Town,

F94 DK6C

FREEPOST FDGL28

Or by email to design@dnrdo.ie

Please make your submission by Friday 22^nd December 2023.

A public consultation event will be held on Thursday 7^th December 2023 from 2pm to 7pm in Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar where members of the Project Team will be available to discuss any aspect of the Project.

Next steps

Over the coming months, the Project Team will review and consider all submissions received during this second public consultation in response to the Stage 2 Options Assessment, before finalising a Preferred Route.

Following completion of the Options Selection Study and confirmation of the preferred option, the Project will progress to Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation. At this stage the Design Team will then further develop the design, undertaking additional environmental and technical surveys and assessments. We will continue to consult with all affected landowners and key stakeholders, and this process will culminate in the publication of the Statutory Orders and applicable Environmental Reports in accordance with relevant legislation for the Development consent processes.