Christmas traffic chaos feared with Tesco opening in Donegal Town - Donegal Daily

Tesco in Donegal Town is expected to be ready before Christmas, but fears are being raised over the potential traffic congestion it may bring

A number of councillors have expressed concern that the opening of a new Tesco in Donegal Town will lead to huge traffic congestion.

The matter was raised by Independent councillor Jimmy Brogan, Cathaoirleach of Donegal Municipal District at the body's a meeting on Tuesday.

The new Tesco is expected to be open in December, just in time for the Christmas rush.

However, Brogan believes that the new Tesco will create the 'perfect storm' when it comes to traffic in and around Donegal Town.

"We're going to have a perfect storm over here in Donegal Town in a few weeks when Tesco opens.

"There's going to be huge traffic in the town, especially on a Friday. You're going to have mart traffic, normal traffic, and now Tesco traffic," said Brogan.

Brogan said it was a fantastic economic boost for Donegal Town that Tesco was expanding its footprint to South Donegal, but expressed a sense of urgency that a plan needs to be put in place.

"It's great to see Tesco opening, but we need to have a serious look at it, and get a traffic plan in place, because the traffic is only going to get worse and worse.

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"We have talked here before about the one-way system, and the traffic in and around the Diamond, and we all have our own ideas on it.

"We need to get a plan in place, so when the traffic issue does arise, at least we can say, well look here's what we're intending to do to sort that.

"At the minute, as far as I can see, it's just the figment of everybody's imagination as to what will be done," said Brogan.

Sinn Féin councillor Noel Jordan echoed the sentiments expressed by his colleague Jimmy Brogan, and conveyed a sense of frustration at the lack of a response on the issue from the National Transport Authority.

"The amount of traffic that is going to be directed towards the Diamond is going to be huge, and I have raised this matter a number of times in the past.

"We have all sat in on local area plans, but there is nothing back from the National Transport Authority on it.

"We need to do something in the interim now, but I do feel if the traffic is reversed the opposite way from Tesco, then you wouldn't be directing the same volume of traffic right into the heart of the Diamond.

"We need to do something, and the traffic congestion will become a massive problem," said Jordan.