A Letterkenny Councillor has called for the brakes to be put on active travel works in Ballyraine amid concerns over significant changes to the original plan.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Ciaran Brogan has voiced strong opposition to the proposed removal of a third lane on the N56 road from Polestar to the Creamery Roundabout (Thomas Keys garage), which would make way for two new cycle lanes.
Cllr Brogan warned that the narrowing of the road for motorists will have huge implications.
He said it is “unbelievable” that the design team is now planning to remove the middle lane from Ballyraine Halls to the far side of the Mount Errigal Hotel.
“I am asking that we review this scheme to focus on the main arteries that we have for traffic moving. We can’t be introducing cycle lanes at the expense of cars and buses and everything else,” Cllr Brogan said.
Cllr Brogan highlighted the shock among local businesspeople by changes to the plans originally agreed by councillors in 2020.
“The Part 8 is not the same, I’m asking that we suspend the works and hopefully get some clarification,” Cllr Brogan told Tuesday’s meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
He added that business owners are not happy with the scheme proceeding as “fait accompli” with the new changes.
“To say they are gobsmacked is an understatement. The Part 8 was passed in 2020, this is a different scheme now that is being proposed, it is a different scheme than what we had a public consultation on,” Cllr Brogan said.
The next part of the N56 Letterkenny Urban Active Travel project will also provide signalised junctions at the Ballyraine Halls roundabout and the Creamery Roundabout. The lights will cover key areas where motorists experience congestion travelling to/from the Ramelton Road (R245) and the Business Park area.
Cllr Brogan added that he was in agreement with the installation of traffic lights, but pointed out that the introduction of cycle lanes came “very late in the day”.
Liam Ward, Director of Service, acknowledged the obvious concern that what was passed four years ago is not in keeping with that works are proposed now. The council has agreed to review the matter.
