With one week to go until the traffic lights are activated at Letterkenny’s Polestar Roundabout, local councillors are calling for a meeting with contractors to get to know the system.
The 40+ traffic lights, which were installed to improve traffic flow, will be turned on on Tuesday 17th October. The time of the switch-on has not yet been confirmed but it is likely that traffic delays will be experienced as motorists get used to the new layout and signals.
Letterkenny area councillors say have already been receiving calls from local people concerned about the many lines painted on the road which designate the revised road layout.
Cllr Donal Coyle told the Letterkenny-Milford MD yesterday: “The lights are not even switched on yet and I’m getting calls from people apprehensive and concerned because they see all these white lines on the roundabout.”
Cllr Coyle added that a crossover lane for traffic coming from the Four Lane to the Ramelton Road also “seems very confusing”.
“I’m hoping that when the lights are switched on it will be more clear,” Cllr Coyle said.
Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly asked for councillors to meet with the contractors responsible for the project so that all members are “on the same page” in terms of explaining the system to the public.
A testing period for the new lights will be in operation for several weeks after the 17th October, at which time the patience of motorists will be required.
The council issued a text alert message to the public in a bid to advise them exactly how to use the roundabout properly when it comes into operation.
It suggests “Road users must follow the white lining around the roundabout as marked. There is a crossover from the inside lane to the outside lane of the roundabout when travelling from 4 Lane Road to Ramelton Road which occurs opposite the Neil T Blaney Road junction. If this is not followed then the traffic coming from Neil T Blaney Road may not be able to access the roundabout when they have the green light to GO. There will be no more exiting to the Ramelton Road from the inside of the Roundabout.”
Councillors were also told that the Donegal National Roads Office is preparing the design of the section of road between the Polestar Roundabout and the Creamery Roundabout with the plan to progress this project in 2024. This development is funded by a €500,000 allocation from the TII for the N56 Letterkenny Urban Active Travel Scheme.
