The son of a man who survived a horrific accident at Cockhill bridge outside Buncrana this time last year has launched a petition for a new crossing to be built.

Clonbeg man Oliver O’Donnell’s father Francis, the caretaker at Cockhill church, was lucky to be alive after his car ended up upside down in the Crana river after an accident at the bridge on Febrauary 20 last year.

Mr O’Donnell junior said: “In conjuction with JoeMcHugh TD Fine Gael, I have drawn up a petition which will be circulated over the next couple of days around Buncrana and the Inishowen peninsula in order to raise the profile of a badly-needed new Bridge at Cockhill.”

“Last year my father was involved in a serious accident on Cockhill bridge, caused mostly due to the structure and size if bridge.

“In light of this and the day-to-day increased volume of traffic that causes major tailbacks at peak times and also the worries for parents as there is no footpath for kids to safely get to and from school and parents unable to push prams without fear or delaying motorists, I have decided that there needs to be something done about it.”

The petition reads: “We, the residents of Inishowen, petition Donegal County Council for funding to rebuild Cockhill Bridge, an important piece of infrastructure for the promotion of tourism to Inishowen.

Currently, at peak times, this particular area is a constant frustration for locals and commuters, with repeated tailbacks due to lorries and large vehicles and parents transporting their children to school. We are proposing that the bridge is widened and a footpath provided to enable the following: 

Safer access for pedestrians

Ease the flow of traffic, particularly at peak times

Enable large vehicles to cross easily, without delaying other road users.

This bridge is primarily the gateway to other tourist areas of Inishowen – Ballyliffin, Culdaff etc. Therefore it is of major importance to all businesses in the Inishowen peninsula that the rebuilding of this bridge is funded by the council for their continued success.”