Up to 70 households near the Coolboy junction of the N56 face a daily safety risk trying to access the main road, Donegal County Council has heard.
The narrow access road lacks footpaths and lighting, creating dangerous conditions for motorists and pedestrians, especially children who are routinely dropped off by school buses.
Councillor Michael McBride, speaking at yesterday’s meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, called for immediate action to improve safety, highlighting resident fears and proposing that “with a fairly minimal amount of work” the road could be significantly improved.
He further emphasised the urgency by mentioning a recent collision that resulted in a car being written off.
Cllr Donal Coyle added that the Coolboy turn-off is busier than ever, as Ukrainian nationals are being accommodated in the area and more buses are travelling on the route. Cllr Coyle also asked the council to take out the two dangerous bends on the L5972 at Coolboy.
The councillors were told that the junction is on a national road and falls under the remit of the TII. However, a safety assessment can be carried out at this location and if deemed necessary will be referred to the Road Safety Engineer to be considered as a potential HD 17 Site. HD17 inspections are road safety inspections which are performed on existing national roads to identity safety issues and defects that require maintenance.
Councillors were also told there would be no funding opportunities for lighting as the road is in a rural area.
“If it’s a situation we can’t put footpaths and lighting at these types of junctions, the Roads SPC is going to have to look at that,” Cllr McBride said, adding “we can’t be putting lives in jeopardy” because of rules limiting certain works.
