A new walking, cycling and public realm project has officially began construction in Letterkenny.

A sod-turning event was held to mark the beginning of the first phase of LK Green Connect. Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray together with the Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford MD, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh and the Elected Members of the Municipal District were in attendance.

The project is co-funded by Donegal County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund which is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray said: "The Council is progressing an ambitious programme of regeneration projects in Letterkenny which is focussed on strengthening the County's largest town and Regional Centre as an attractive, accessible and thriving place. The project is the first of its kind in Letterkenny and marks the first key regeneration project under the Letterkenny 2040 Regeneration Programme to progress to site. This is a very exciting milestone to see tangible progress on the ground and to build a more effective Regional Centre."

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Phase 1 will be developed in the area of Letterkenny Public Service Centre-Joe Bonner Road-Neil T. Blaney Road. As the first step, it will be transformative in rolling out the wider LK Green Connect project which will be the backbone of walking, cycling and public realm infrastructure, connecting town centre destinations, giving options for how people move around and within the town centre and providing an exciting new experience in navigating the urban environment.

Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh commented: "Phase 1 will set the standard for the type of walking and cycling infrastructure that Council intends to roll out and this will include safe, accessible, segregated paths and cycle lanes running alongside a green parkland space which will have seating, resting space, shelter, trees, wild planting and pollinators and will also provide an important safe crossing point on the Joe Bonnar Road. Crucially the wider project will make it easier for people to walk and cycle in the town centre as an alternative means of transport encouraging people out of private cars. This investment will also complement Letterkenny's two wonderful town parks and start to bring similar high quality public space into the heart of the town centre."

Further phases for the development of LK Green Connect are forming part of the Council’s ongoing regeneration work programme and will progress in due course to Part 8 planning consent and associated public consultation.

Speaking of the wider Letterkenny 2040 Regeneration Programme, Liam Ward, Director of Community Development and Planning Services added: "The Council has ambitious plans for the regeneration of Letterkenny town centre across a series of projects. These include the redevelopment of Market Square, the delivery of town centre green spaces, the development of a Creative Hub and the reuse of the former Courthouse as examples. The construction of the first phase of LK Green Connect marks the beginning for capital delivery of our wider Letterkenny 2040 regeneration objectives."

ACS Civils LTD has been appointed by Donegal County Council to deliver the first phase of LK Green Connect which is scheduled for completion over the next six months.