Letterkenny Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh has called for more high-visibility crossings to be installed in the town centre.
Cllr Kavanagh told the council this week that there seems to be a “reluctance” to put in pedestrian crossings. Some of the worst areas for pedestrians, he said, were the bottom of DeValera Road, the Spar at Lower Main Street, and Tesco. “I recently saw an elderly woman walking between lines of traffic trying to get across,” he told the council.
Cllr Kavanagh added that the crossing between Letterkenny University Hospital and the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park also needed more work. He said that more official crossings are needed on Main Street too, as visitors in particular mistake the raised arches for crossings.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle added that Letterkenny needs more formal crossings and zebra crossings, instead of the two lines that seem to be favoured.
“Nobody knows the right of way. It’s okay when you’re grown up but a child would not have the cop on and assume they can cross,” Cllr McMonagle said. He added he could see no reason why there isn’t a raised crossing at the Aura Leisure Centre to force traffic to adjust their speed.
The matter was discussed at this week’s Letterkenny-Milford MD, where the local roads team said that there is a pilot scheme being carried out with high visibility crossings in other towns and the results of these schemes will be assessed and used for consideration for the most appropriate locations for usage.
A statement from the council said that other options to be considered are courtesy crossings such as have been constructed on the Cathedral One-way system. Types and locations for crossing will be considered as part of the development of active travel schemes in the town.
“I think we should pick two or three and just do them, especially the more dangerous ones,” Cllr Kavanagh said, welcoming the response.
