Opening of Ballyshannon bypass attracts protesters

The Minister of State with responsibility for roads, Pat the Cope Gallagher, yesterday opened an €80 million bypass in Co Donegal…

The Minister of State with responsibility for roads, Pat the Cope Gallagher, yesterday opened an €80 million bypass in Co Donegal and immediately warned holiday weekend drivers not to speed.

He said developments such as the Ballyshannon-Bundoran bypass would deliver safety gains in engineering terms but it was up to motorists to do the rest to save lives.

"This bank holiday weekend remember a very simple message. Abide by the rules and regulations. Slow down, fasten safety belts and do not drink and drive."

Mr Gallagher faced protesters highlighting a number of local issues as he cut the ribbon at the new bridge crossing the Erne. They included angry farmers making a silent protest with a sign claiming they had not been paid for land taken for the 11km (6.8 miles) bypass.

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The row has simmered for two years since former transport minister Séamus Brennan turned the first sod for the route's construction.

Donegal Irish Farmers' Association chairman Keith Roulston warned the money row has threatened landowners' co-operation for the county's next major roads project, the €100 million Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass.

More than 120 farmers and other residents sold land for the Ballyshannon-Bundoran road under compulsory purchase orders. About 40 have not been paid and are still in dispute with the council and the National Roads Authority (NRA).

The farmers say they were offered only its present agricultural value. They argued they were entitled to a "hope" price based on the expected value of adjoining lands likely to be rezoned for development with the arrival of the bypass.

An NRA spokesman agreed negotiations were continuing with "some" farmers who had not yet been paid for their land. But he said land prices already agreed were based on local values and were reached through an open assessment and arbitration procedure.

Local county councillor Barry O'Neill boycotted the event, saying fencing along the new road was too low. He also claimed access roundabouts were badly designed. Roads chiefs say the bypass - part of the N15 linking Sligo and Lifford - will take more than 9,000 vehicles a day away from the local bottleneck.