Donegal County Council has been urged to install a safe pedestrian crossing on the Leck Road in Letterkenny, following concerns about the lack of crossing facilities near the busy junction with Lismonaghan.
The call comes after an incident involving a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle at the location, which was described as a “fairly blind corner” by Councillor Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly.
Cllr Kelly made the call for a raised pedestrian crossing during Tuesday’s meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, adding that something must be done rapidly to prevent other accidents.
Cllr Kelly highlighted the absence of a footpath on one side of the road, forcing pedestrians to cross at a dangerous spot. He urged the council to install a raised pedestrian crossing, arguing it would benefit both pedestrians and residents accessing their homes by slowing down traffic.
A spokesperson for the Letterkenny Roads Section said that the location is currently not suitable for a pedestrian crossing due to there being no footpath on one side of the road and insufficient sight lines due to the bend.
Cllr Kelly was told that additional street lighting is to be erected at this location.
“I feel if there was lighting there, you could have a raised pedestrian crossing,” Cllr Kelly said.
Roads Engineer David McElwaine told the meeting that a low-cost safety assessment could be carried out, while is it likely that the speed limit in the area will be reduced to 30kph under the newly-proposed limits.
Cllr Kelly commented that he did not believe that all motorists would adhere to the new speed limit, repeating his call for action to be taken.
Meanwhile, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh asked the council to make the new ramps on the Leck to Lurgybrack road more visible with luminous paint. The council responded to say: “The traffic calming measures are located close to a public light, signs are provided on the approach to the ramps with road markings on the approaches and triangles marked on the ramps.”
