Local councillors have appealed to the Letterkenny Municipal District to make key roads in the town safer for pedestrian crossing.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle said it’s only a matter of time until somebody gets knocked down on busy routes at the Aura Sports Complex and on the Oldtown Road.
The local authority said a survey of people crossing the road at the Aura in Sallaghagrane found that the numbers did not warrant a Signalised Pedestrian Crossing. Space restrictions on the footpath side also inhibited the installation of traffic lights, said Roads Area Manager Fergal Doherty.
Aura Leisure Centre Sallaghagrane
Cllr McMonagle queried the crossing surveys at this week’s Letterkenny MD meeting and said: “There are people crossing all over the place out there. If there is a signalised crossing people would act in a more passive matter.
“If there is a problem with space then let’s create space.
“There seems to be a problem in this town about putting proper crossings around the roads.”
Cllr Ciaran Brogan requested a report from the local authority on the installment of specific pedestrian crossings. He said: “This is nothing new and I feel Cllr McMonagle’s frustration on it. This is about pedestrian safety and we know this is not about the money.”
Cllr McMonagle also requested traffic calming measures on the OldTown Road at James Larkin Court and Charlie Collins Terrace, near amenities such as NowDoc and convenience stores.
Oldtown Road
The council Roads Department said that a drop kerb and uncontrolled pedestrian crossing will be installed at James Larkin Court when patching is complete.
Cllr McMonagle queried why a traffic island could not be built. “We as a council own most of the houses on this road and we have a duty of care that people can attend services there safely.”
Mr Doherty said ramps are not a recommended solution and there is no room for an island. He explained that a zebra crossing is not permitted on the road according to the National Roads Authority Manual.
“When somebody gets knocked down or injured you can bring out your manual then,” Cllr McMonagle responded.
