AN urgent call has been made for the review of traffic flow in Letterkenny before the Christmas shopping rush.
Councillor Michael McBride said taxi drivers, driving instructors and local business people have expressed their frustrations to him that traffic jams are crippling them financially.
He will bring the issue before tomorrow’s meeting of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District in a bid to iron the matter out so that the local economy does not suffer as festive shopping gets underway.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Cllr McBride said traffic volume on the Pearse Road in the town has been problematic.
“Going back a number of months ago there were a lot of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings in Letterkenny and people in the town were complaining of a lot of tailbacks, particularly on the Pearse Road from McGinley Motors to McDonalds.
“We were told at the time that that was being done to assess the level of traffic but I don’t really see that things have improved and as we approach the Christmas shopping period, I think we need to examine the issue again.
“The problem on the Pearse Road is still an issue. Traffic in the town is being backed up. I work in the town and see that for myself, but I have also been hearing frustrations from taxi drivers and driving instructors.”
Cllr McBride said his major concern in the run up to Christmas shopping is that if people get caught in a traffic jam they will not stay any longer in the town to shop.
traffic jams
“Once traffic tails back, no one gets in or out of the town. It’s a log jam. If people get caught in a traffic jam, they are very unlikely to stay further in the town and go shopping. Traffic jams are hurting the local economy and businesses are struggling. We need to get this right and I am hoping it can be tweeked again.
“I am not an expert in traffic, but the flow does not seem to be balanced properly.”
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