Action needed to tackle risky exit onto busy Kilmacrennan Road - Donegal Daily

Urgent traffic-calming measures are being sought to make it safer for motorists exiting one of the busiest junctions on the Kilmacrennan Road in Letterkenny.Let...

Urgent traffic-calming measures are being sought to make it safer for motorists exiting one of the busiest junctions on the Kilmacrennan Road in Letterkenny.

Letterkenny councillor Tómas Seán Devine raised fresh concerns about the junction outside Hegarty’s Ford Garage at Tuesday’s Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District meeting.

Cllr Devine said the junction is getting busier, with around 50 new homes in the area and plans for another 100 units.

He also highlighted the increased flow of traffic to the Chapel of Rest and new crematorium in this area of Carnamuggagh.

Cllr Devine said an earlier traffic count showed around 16,500 vehicles travelling down this road into Letterkenny daily.

He also raised serious concerns for pedestrians, particularly children walking to school and people trying to cross the busy N56.

“Can you imagine trying to get out into that?” he asked the council.

“It’s about time we did something before something serious happens."

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He said speeding is another problem on the road and suggested raised tables as one possible solution.

Cllr Devine said speed-reducing measures could give motorists a better chance of exiting side roads while also making it safer for pedestrians to cross.

“I don’t think it’s going to be an awful lot of money for safety," he said, adding that the traffic-calming measures at the bottom of the Back Road are an example of what could be done to help slow vehicles and improve safety.

The Council’s written response says a safety assessment can be carried out and, if necessary, the matter can be referred to the Safety Engineer and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Any recommendations could also be considered as part of the early design work for the N56 Letterkenny Urban Active Travel scheme , which will be carried out between Knocknamona and Mountaintop roundabouts in the future.

The scheme, which is at an early stage of development, will address all road user interactions on this section of road.

Members were told at the meeting that any assessment would have to take account of overall traffic movements in the area, while funding will also be a factor.