Swan Park works set to lead to partial reopening in New Year 2021

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has welcomed progress on the restoration of Swan Park as it emerged a new phase of works could lead to a partial reopening in January.

Councillor Rena Donaghey said the December works programme will be conducted in preparation for major works getting under way in January.

In terms of the upper section of the Buncrana park - which was devastated in the floods of August 2017 - from Westbrook gate to Nelson’s lane gate, Donegal County Council has appointed a contractor to reconstruct the eye of the bridge and all associated walls around the structure. Initial works will commence this month and will involve the removal of debris and plants to prepare the site for major works early in the new year.

The upper part of the park will remain open over Christmas and the holidays to accommodate public access, however this part of the park will then close in early January, as the temporary green bridge currently in place needs to be removed to repair the main bridge.

The contractor will be on site for five months and after that the Council will complete the paths/ landscaping in the upper section, which is expected to take another two months.

With regards to the lower section of the park from Nelson’s gate to Castle Bridge, the Council’s own team will be repairing paths and drainage over the coming weeks, with a view to having this section accessible to the public in early January.

Additional landscaping will be required in drier weather, but Colr. Donaghey said the public should be able to walk through and enjoy the park.

“It is great to see the project progressing, taking account of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Cathaoirleach said, adding that it looks like the Council will be close to the initial deadline for completion.