Letterkenny Mayor Gerry McMonagle has said that road markings in the town are so badly faded that learner drivers are struggling to learn the rules of the road.
Cllr McMonagle has called for a road lining programme across the town for road safety and aesthetics.
“Such is the traffic in this town that coming to roundabouts, where there are two or three lanes, the lines are almost obliterated,” Cllr McMonagle said.
He highlighted the significant wearing of demarcation lines on the Port Road, Pearse Road and Circular Road.
Yield markings are “dodgy enough” to be seen, Cllr McMonagle said, adding that clear lining leads to better and safer driving.
“It’s okay for experienced drivers, but if you are learning to drive, is it a stop or give way? It’s obliterated and non-existent at some roundabouts” he said.
A faded ‘STOP’ road marking at Canal Road Letterkenny
The matter was raised at the October meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
In response, the council said the Roads team continuously assesses road markings and prepares a programme of works within the budget. The MD received an additional allocation of €32,134 as part of the 2024 programme to supplement the road maintenance programme.
Councillors were told that the N56 lining was recently redone and the Roads team is currently working with the road lining contractors to identify locations to be upgraded before the winter.
Cllr McMonagle said there is 7.2km of road in the Letterkenny town area. “I’m sure this being the busy town that it is, for road safety and for learners, the sooner we get this done the better.”