A vacant music shop has been proposed as a possible solution to overcrowding at Letterkenny’s ‘Mr Chippy’ bus stop.
The bus stop near the Station Roundabout was described as ‘unfit for purpose’ by local Councillor Gerry McMonagle this week.
Cllr McMonagle said that the increase in LocalLink services, combined with private operators, has created a need for a bigger shelter with seating.
“On a daily basis, there are hundreds waiting for buses. People are sitting on the wall and that’s fine in good weather, but we are coming into winter and there is nowhere for them to sit comfortably. A lot of people using these services are elderly and we need to be giving them a bit of comfort,” Cllr McMonagle told this week’s meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford MD.
Cllr McMonagle pointed out that the vacant store once occupied by Reynolds Music would be an ideal location for an indoor bus station.
While work is underway to create a central transport hub for Letterkenny, it was confirmed that the roads section of Letterkenny-Milford is in consultation with the National Transport Authority regarding the design and funding of additional bus shelter at this location.
Liam Ward, Director of Services, said there was a clear commitment on behalf of the NTA to fund an improved bus shelter.
This update was greeted by councillors as welcome news.
Cllr Ciaran Brogan also made a call for full signalised junctions to be considered at the Station Roundabout, Port Road and Oatfield Roundabout.
He said that the volume of traffic and high number of pedestrians in the area warranted a need for safer traffic flow and crossings, and asked that the system be made a priority in funding applications going forward.
