Councillor warns of safety risk on busy Letterkenny road
A Letterkenny councillor has raised concerns over speeding and traffic on the N56 Kilmacrennan road at the Letterkenny-Milford MD meeting
The need for speed-reducing measures on a busy main road has been highlighted by a Letterkenny councillor.
Councillor Tomás Seán Devine put forward a motion that asks for speed-reducing measures to be put in place on the Kilmacrennan N56 road outside Hegarty’s Ford Garage at the October Letterkenny-Milford MD meetings.
Cllr Devine has previously brought forward the issue in previous meetings, and says he is concerned that a solution hasn't been found to reduce speed at the busy Carnamuggagh Upper junction.
“It’s a very busy junction, even more now with the new Chapel of Rest and cremation services in the area,” the 100% Redress councillor said. “I’d like to see something happening moving forward.”
Cllr Devine expressed his concern for pedestrians, schoolchildren and people trying to cross the road, in particular.
“Can you imagine trying to get out into that?” he said. “It’s about time we did something before something serious happens."
An earlier traffic study found that 16,500 vehicles travel on this road to get to Letterkenny on a daily basis, which Cllr Devine says will only increase as around 50 new homes are planned in the area and plans for another 100 units.
“Could you imagine trying to live in those estates and crossing that road?” He said. “Speeding is another issue… a safety assessment should have been done a long time ago.”
The motion was seconded by Councillor Declan Meehan, independent, who said the N56 is one of many roads that need traffic calming measures.
The council's written response stated: “A Safety Assessment can be carried out at this location and, if required, will be referred to the Safety Engineer and the TII for their consideration.
“Any recommendations may be considered as part of the initial design steps for the N56 Letterkenny Urban Active Travel scheme on the N56 between Knocknamona and Mountaintop roundabouts. This design will address all road user interactions on this section of road, but this AT scheme is at an early stage of development, and the Members will be updated on progress in due course.”