By Chris Ashmore
THE likelihood of a new additional slip road being constructed on the Ballyraine side of the Polestar Roundabout to link into the N56 four lane road out of the town beside the Port Bridge looks like being a long shot – and is not expected to happen in the next few years.
Tabling a motion at Tuesday’s meeting of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Council, Cllr. Donal Coyle called on the local authority “without any further delay” to initiate a compulsory purchase order process for the land that would be required.
Cllr. Coyle contended that this would have a significant positive impact on traffic in the area.
“The (traffic) lights at Polestar are working very well, but the backlog of traffic on Ramelton Road is going back every day as far as the Glebe,” he said, adding: “In fairness, we have to as a council be seen to do what we can to alleviate the traffic problem in Letterkenny.”
He pointed out that not a lot of land is needed – indeed part of an old road there is still visible.
However, he was informed by David McIlwaine, Senior Executive Engineer (Roads) that the provision of such a slip road would potentially require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive given the proximity to the Lough Swilly Special Area of Conservation.
Furthermore, no current funding is available for such a project.
Cllr. Coyle expressed disappointment with what he felt was “a very negative response”.
Mr. McIlwaine retorted that the National Roads Design Office “will continue to discuss potential projects” but he pointed out that the assessment processes take time and would take “a few years – that is the reality.”
The motion was seconded by Cllr. Liam Blaney, who said that it was “possibly the busiest road coming into the town” and that “a lot of people are trying to avoid it.”
A number of councillors then became involved in a debate about the Active Travel project for this area which will mean new cycleway and paths, and also the removal of one of the lanes that currently exists in front of the Mount Errigal Hotel.
Cllr Blaney suggested an amendment to the motion to ask that the Active Travel scheme would not go ahead until the extra slip lane goes in.
However, out-going Mayor Cllr. Gerry McMonagle highlighted that the Active Travel scheme has already been approved.
The meeting heard that a key part of the Active Travel scheme would involve the “signalisation” of what is still known as the Donegal Creameries roundabout (near the Pin Tavern).
Following further debate Cllr. McMonagle said he could put in a counter-motion in support of the Active Travel scheme going ahead.
Councillors McMonagle, Michael McBride, Tómas Seán Devine, Declan Meehan, Jimmy Kavanagh, and Pauric McGarvey voted in favour of the counter-motion.
The three Fianna Fáil councillors present in the chamber, namely Cllr. Kelly, Coyle and Blaney, voted against.
Cllr. Coyle’s motion, therefore, did not pass.
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