Call for temporary traffic lights to ease traffic congestion on Ramelton Road

A motion from Cllr John O’Donnell calling on the council to alleviate traffic problems at Ramelton Road and at Arena 7 in Letterkenny, led to a call for temporary traffic lights to be installed on the two roundabouts in that area.

“There are an awful lot of people travelling from the Fanad area and the tail backs are just getting bigger and bigger,” Cllr O’Donnell told this week’s meeting of Letterkenny/Milford Municipal District.

Cllr Liam Blaney, seconding the motion, said that part of Letterkenny seemed to be “the worst of the whole lot” when it comes to traffic delays.

“To take away the roundabouts and replace them with traffic lights would help,” he suggested.

“There are plans to start construction before the end of the year, but that does not mean that will happen.”

Cllr Ciaran Brogan asked if the provision of temporary traffic lights could be front loaded.

“We talked about more lanes at the Pole Star Roundabout,” he said.

“The pressure on that road is massive. There is a design being done that will take away a lot of the carriageway for a cycle lane. It needs lights ASAP.”

Roads Engineer David McIlwaine told the meeting the TII were working on a final design and they will advise members as soon as it is done.

He also acknowledged that the plan is to have a cycle lane.

“We have approved a Part 8 plan for that road. Does that have to be amended?” Cllr Brogan inquired.

Mr McIlwaine told members he was not sure if that was the case.

Cllr Brogan insisted members need to be kept up to date.

Responding to Cllr O’Donnell’s motion the council executive stated: “As part of the design of the TII Letterkenny Urban Active Travel project the traffic movements in this area are being reviewed.

“The scheme proposed to include measures that will improve traffic management in the area.

“It is currently planned that this scheme will commence construction before the end of the year.”

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