'We need signage to warn drivers to slow down before we see further fatalities'

Long traffic jams facing daily commuters on the N13 heading into/out of Letterkenny have made a previously quiet road in and out of the town extremely dangerous, the local Aontú candidate has said.

Mary T Sweeney, who is a resident of the area, says three crashes in as many weeks alone here at the junction between Corravaddy forest and Letterkenny’s back road is too many.

“We need proper signage immediately to warn drivers to slow down before we see further fatalities,” she said. “One lady's large Range Rover flipped up on its side and the driver was trapped inside. The door was so heavy she could not push it open. My husband had great difficulty climbing in and pulling her out as the vehicle was sitting on its side, perched swaying over the drop into the field below.

“Multiple crashes occurred this year along the road, especially during the recent snow which saw the road blocked completely at one stage. The road also has several significant spots where it is tight for two vehicles to pass with comfort.

“Several residents and farmers have approached me to contact the Council to see whether a crash barrier would also be required at this junction and possibly the road to be widened in several sections to accommodate the excess traffic.

“A digital traffic count and a feasibility study are needed to consider the best way to upgrade this road. Widening the Rahan road would help alleviate the traffic jams at peak commuting hours going into Letterkenny on the N14 Bonagee road. I am aware it would then increase the pressure on the Oldtown Bridge traffic, which is why we need a second bridge in the Oldtown/ Crievesmith area.

“It is not uncommon to see large buses and large lorries using the Rahan road which is probably because their sat nav is directing them on the shortest route to Letterkenny from the Ballybofey road.

“I have previously written to the Council Roads Engineers before Christmas requesting the road from the N13 at Trentaboy to the bottom of Rahan to be included on the winter gritting schedule as a priority due to the increased road users and crashes. One local resident claimed to me he had counted 35 vehicles passing his gate one morning before he could get out.”