Residents ‘in the dark’ over Buncrana Road plans

Homeowners who would have been impacted if the Buncrana Road widening was to go ahead have raised concerns over the lack of information they have received.

Roads Service has revealed there is no funding available this year to upgrade the busy thoroughfare to a four lane carriageway, and the scheme will have to compete with similar projects for any funding that is made available in the future.

After the proposals were first made public in 2007, Roads Service stated that “there is currently insufficient width between St Patrick’s Terrace and Collon Terrace to provide two lanes of traffic in each direction without adversely affecting the existing properties.”

A number of homeowners in St Patrick’s Terrace were then told that the proposal to widen the road could result in a reduction of the land at the front of their homes.

Residents of Collon Terrace have said they were informed that the scheme could have a more significant impact on them, with the possibility of their homes being demolished to facilitate the upgrade depending on the preferred option.

The residents, many of whom have lived in their homes for a number of decades, say they have received no correspondence from Roads Service informing them of the latest development in regards to their proposals.

Monica McGilloway, who has lived in Collon Terrace for 40 years, said that there was some confusion among the residents as what was happening with the proposed widening.

“We’ve been left in the dark here, and this is the first that I’ve heard about the funding not being available,” she said.

“The impression I would have had a number of years ago was that the houses along here would be vested and have to go, and the the two derelict houses up the street would have all been part of that.”

Meanwhile, Rebecca Smith, who has lived in the street for 60 years, added: “I wouldn’t have wanted to leave because I’ve here so long.”

Their comments were echoed by Brendan Grant (pictured) who said that the news was a ‘relief’.

“We haven’t been told anything about it, but I’m not surprised to tell you the truth, I had a feeling that nothing was happening because we hadn’t heard anything for so long.”

He added: “To tell you the truth, it would have been a bit of a hassle, and I really like my garden, so I’m glad that none of its being taken away.”