East Donegal road concerns grow after weekend collision - Donegal News

FRUSTRATIONS are growing after yet another weekend traffic collision on a notoriously dangerous stretch of road in east Donegal.

Safety concerns have been highlighted on the R265 and L-23742 in recent times.

The latest collision happened on the R265 at Carrickmore, St Johnston yesterday afternoon.

The Donegal News understands that the collision involved three vehicles, with emergency services attending the scene, and reports that some of those involved were brought to hospital for treatment of injuries.

In recent months, concerns over the dangerous state of the roads in the area have been highlighted with locals organising a petition calling for improvements to be carried out by the council.

Local resident William McKean lives near the scene of the most recent collision and said the road has witnessed numerous accidents.

William said he has been informed that the new Carrigans to Lifford Greenway is planned to run alongside the R265.

A member of the Lifford Carrigans Landowners and Residents Committee, William attended the protest against the greenway at County House in Lifford last week.

He raised concerns over the number of accidents on the road during meetings between engineers and property owners who will potentially be affected by the greenway.

Protest hears residents’ concerns over Carrigans to Lifford Greenway

He said the move to build the greenway along the R265 “doesn’t make sense”.

“A lot of the local residents would know how dangerous that road is, but I don’t think the engineers are aware of how dangerous that road is,” said William.

Meetings are underway to establish if voluntary land offers can be handed over to the proposed greenway route before the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders.

At the protest last week, committee member Donal Lynch told this newspaper that residents are not opposed to the idea of a greenway.

However, he said residents feel that the money spent could be used elsewhere in the community, such as widening rural roads.

William McKean (left) and representatives with letters of the protest at the council office in Lifford today. Photo: Brian McDaid.

Another road which has been the subject of a community campaign is the L-23742 Back Lone Road, which joins onto the R265.

Alice Lynch of Maggies Tavern at Carrickmore has been at the helm of a community appeal for road safety measures on the L-23742, which runs near her business.

She has witnessed cars entering ditches as motorists are forced to reverse up to 300 metres back for oncoming traffic. After collecting around 500 signatures from concerned locals, council officials confirmed that safety measures would be on the way.

However, speaking on Sunday, Alice said the issue is ongoing and cars are still forced to reverse, with drops on either side of the road.

“Even yesterday (Saturday), I had to reverse for about half a mile,” she said. “And you can fall into either side.”

Alice Lynch of Maggies Tavern holding a petition of 500 signatures calling for action on the Back Lone Road.

In response to a query on the Back Lone Road, a spokesperson for Donegal County Council said: “The L-23742 is a Local Rural Road and is suitable for local traffic.

“It is understood the issue is in relation to vehicles meeting reversing.

“The Local Authority does not have specific budgets for provision of lay-bys, however lay-bys have been provided on other local roads under Community Involvement Schemes.

“Should an application be made to Donegal County Council under this measure then same can be given due consideration.

An Garda Síochána was also contacted regarding the collision on Saturday afternoon.

Local residents pictured in October last year expressing their concerns at a dangerously narrow section of road in St Johnston. Photo: Brian McDaid.

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