Emergency motion to address ‘frightening’ situation at Dunkineely NS crossing

An emergency motion has called for the immediate implementation of safety measures to avoid a fatality or serious injury at Dunkineely NS.

Cllr Noel Jordan (SF) brought the following motion forward at the February meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal: “I am asking that this Municipal District calls on the TII to address the road safety issues at Dunkineely NS due to the continuous dangerous incidents at this school crossing as a matter or urgency.”

 The emergency motion came in the wake of a viral video recorded by a parent, showing a car breaking the red light while a parent stood holding a child by the hand at the crossing.

“This is not the first time this issue has been raised in chambers but the recent video clearly highlights the need for stringent measures to be carried out,” said Cllr Jordan.

He called for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to take urgent and immediate action.

“I am sure everyone has seen the video,” said the councillor. “It was frightening, to be quite honest.”

He recalled a previous, well publicised incident where a lorry hit the kerb in the same area.

“It could have been a fatality,” he said. “This is an ongoing situation. These incidents are occurring regularly.

“Parents don’t know what the oncoming traffic is going to do, if they are going to stop or drive on.”

Cllr Jordan said he was aware that the matter was being looked at with a view to finding a long term solution. But he stressed the need for immediate action.

“The measures that are already there are not working,” he said. “We need something that is going to make people slow down.”

He asked that a type of speed bump known as a raised table be put in place so that motorists would have no choice but to slow down. The councillor also suggested very visible digital signage. 

“We need to let parents and children and teachers know that we are doing something about this,” said Cllr Jordan. “And it needs to be done now.”

The councillor commended gardaí for their presence at the school in recent weeks. 

Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind) seconded the motion and thanked Cllr Jordan for bringing it forward.

 “We are on the brink of a serious accident,” she said.

Cllr Kennedy cited a road safety statistic, saying that for every 189 ‘close calls’ there were seven incidents leading to injuries, and one serious collision.

“I have had parents crying on the phone, women and men,” said Cllr Kennedy. “They are so afraid of what is going to happen. They are not even stepping out onto the crossing. It is awful.”

She too believes that speed ramps are the solution, and suggested that temporary speed ramps could be put in place.

Cllr Michael McMahon (SF) added his support, saying: “It beggars belief. But then, speeding in this county is out of control. 

“At a school, it is a very serious matter that is affecting their education, affecting their mental health and affecting their whole family.”

Cllr Barry Sweeny (FG) voiced his support, suggested that the road could be narrowed with bollards to make people slow down.

“It is scary to see that video,” he said. “It is only a matter of time till something happens, a serious issue or worse.”

Cllr Michael Naughton (FF) thanked Cllr Jordan for the emergency motion, and said: “You have kids going to school there and their lives are at risk on a daily basis.”

Area Roads Manger Mark Sweeney said that even before the video, talks had been taking place with TII and a feasibility study is being carried out.

“It is likely that it will need something in the form of a raised table there,” he said. “But there is a crest there, and if you have a raised table at a crest and a motorist doesn’t see it and hits it at speed, they could loose control.”

Mr Sweeney acknowledged the urgency of the situation.

“The traffic lights and signs are in place but people just aren’t seeing them,” he said.

“I will take all the members’ comments on board and take them back to TII.”

Cllr Jordan also called on the Minister For Education Norma Foley to talk to the school.

“They are actually in breach of planning because the Department of Education will not give them funding for a set down area that was part of the plans for recent work which included the construction of two classrooms,” he said. 

“When they asked for the money, they were told to do it through the Summer Works Scheme. That scheme is not open, and there is no guarantee that it will open.”