Donegal County Council says the decision to remove the 90-year-old oak tree in Ballyraine was not taken lightly was only done so out of absolute necessity.
They say the works were carried out outside of normal working hours as they required a lane closure on the N56, which could not be done during the day.
Residents were notified of the works in advance.
Since it emerged, the tree was to be removed due to active travel plans last October, a campaign has been underway to see it remain in place.
While the council says they will plant new trees, the leader of the campaign, Mary T Sweeney, says there needs to be improvements to the public consultation process:
Caretaker John J McGettigan says he wants to hear from the government and in particular, the Education Minister:
Statement from Donegal County Council:
Donegal County Council can confirm that the scheduled removal of the tree at Ballyraine was completed last night. These works were carried out outside of normal working hours as they required a lane closure on the N56 which could not be done during the day due to the large traffic volumes in the area. Residents were notified of the works in advance and DCC will continue to liaise with the local residents and the wider community as the remainder of the works progress over the coming months.
The decision to remove the tree was not taken lightly and was only done so out of absolute necessity. The tree removal is required as part of the N56 Letterkenny Traffic Management and Active Travel project. This is a crucial project that provides critical planned infrastructure for Letterkenny with the principal aim of aiding the reduction of chronic congestion. Specifically, the project aims to improve traffic flow on the N56 through signalisation of the Ballyraine and Creamery junctions including the provision of additional traffic lanes at these locations. It also aims to improve safety and comfort for non-motorised users by providing segregated pedestrian and cycle facilities as well as safe signalised crossing points at these busy urban junctions.
As part of the project new trees and other biodiversity measures are being planted away from the road, this includes Oak and other native tress for future generations.
