Call for traffic lights at Old Dunnes roundabout in Letterkenny

A Donegal County Councillor has asked that traffic lights be installed at the Old Dunnes roundabout in Letterkenny.

Councillor Donal Coyle said the increased volume of traffic that is now accessing the mini roundabout means that traffic lights are necessary.

“People are taking chances there, trying to get away as quickly as possible,” Councillor Coyle said.

“There is very little room on the roundabout itself. Although there have been no serious accidents there, there have been numerous mini accidents.

“People have been calling me in relation to the near misses that they have had on it.

“It is dangerous for pedestrians, especially for those coming from Pearse Road and trying to cross onto the Oldtown Bridge.”

Donegal County Council said that its roads staff are preparing the priority list for Large-Scale Low-Cost accident funding, which provides maximum funding of €200,000 per scheme.

“This junction has been included in the priority list of schemes to be considered for applications for funding,” the Council said in response to Councillor Coyle's motion.

“The Letterkenny Integrated Land Use & Transportation Study that was carried out in 2009 recommended the erection of traffic signals at this junction. If funding received works can be carried out to implement the appropriate measures.”

Councillor Coyle added: “It is certainly necessary now if it was deemed necessary in 2009. I ask that funding is sought for this.”

Councillor Donal 'Mandy' Kelly seconded the motion.

He said: “The phrase 'traffic lights' is a dodgy one in Letterkenny, but there is no doubt that this junction has its issues and a lot of people have concerns with it. There is a lot of congestion there and there definitely needs to be some safety measures.”