By Róise Collins

THERE have been calls for a permanent air monitoring unit to be installed on Main Street in Ballybofey due to growing concerns over potential pollution caused by traffic congestion in the town.

In a motion raised at Tuesday’s Lifford-Stranorlar meeting, Councillor Patrick McGowan stressed that the air quality in Ballybofey and Stranorlar is “under threat” because of the high volume of traffic passing through.

“I believe the volume of cars and heavy goods vehicles passing through Ballybofey-Stranorlar 24 hours a day warrants a permanent monitoring system to ensure health and wellbeing of local residents, workers and visitors.”

He said that no other main street in the county sees as much traffic as the Twin Towns.

Due to the lack of a bypass, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) from across the country are travelling through Ballybofey and Stranorlar, which serve as an arterial route to the rest of the county.

He described that the HGVs going through the busy town are “going so slow, they’re starting and stopping and they’re on hills”. All of which would further contribute to air pollution.

Cllr McGowan also shared that he has received complaints from residents who say the constant congestion is worsening respiratory problems.

He suggested that the permanent air monitoring unit is placed outside the town’s Garda Station.

He said the data gathered could prove vital when pushing for the proposed bypass of the Twin Towns.

The motion was proposed by Cllr McGowan was seconded by Cllr Martin Harley.