Donegal County Council has been urged to do more to control speed in two populated areas of Letterkenny – the Rahan Road and the Burma/Ard O’Donnell.
Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly raised residents’ concerns with the Letterkenny-Milford MD this month, seeking more ramps to slow traffic in both areas.
A speed ramp above the Carraig Craobh entrance on the Rahan road was suggested by Cllr Kelly, as well as a pedestrian crossing at the main junction to the road.
“This is a hugely populated area,” Cllr Kelly said. “There are five entrances to housing estates in this section of a couple of hundred yards, and private houses as well. The speed is excessive on the road where there are a lot of children playing in the area.”
Cllr Kelly was told that the road is considered unsuitable for a speed ramp due to the gradient which presents a potential hazard
The council also said that a speed survey was carried out at this location that showed the 85-
percentile speed was 64kph.
“Other options such as the provision of traffic islands or road narrowing are being considered as possible options,” a spokesperson said. “There is currently no funding for these works. A more detailed assessment will be carried out and opportunities for funding will be sought.”
Cllr Kelly pointed out that the road in question has a 50kph limit.
“There is adequate street lighting and we are inside a speed limit, I don’t see what the issue is here,” Cllr Kelly said.
“For the safety of pedestrians and for the people using the entrances to the estates, this needs to be looked at,” he told the local authority.
Cllr Kelly said he was not looking for a “massive ramp” but a speed table to slow motorists down.
Cllr Kelly also called for an extra speed ramp on the incline into Burma/Ard O’Donnell estate, highlighting the speed of cars travelling through the area where residents’ children and grandchildren play.
He added that the area may need a programme of works to upgrade the footpath too, but a ramp was needed urgently.
The council’s response said that an assessment was carried out on the upper section which concluded that there are sufficient ramps to control speed. A speed assessment is
programmed to be carried out on the lower section to establish if there is a speeding issue.
Cllr Kelly was also told that the High Road Active Travel Scheme may have an impact on the area.
