DONEGAL County Council has come in for strong criticism after a pedestrian was struck by a car in the Oldtown area of Letterkenny on Monday evening.
Local resident Mary T Sweeney, who chaired a public meeting in the area in September, previously raised concerns regarding traffic and congestion in that part of the town.
Speaking to the Donegal News, the Aontú representative said that Monday’s scenario was unfortunately exactly what she had been trying to prevent.
She urged Donegal County Council to install pedestrian crossings at the junction by the former Hideout Bar and at the bottom of the LeckLismonaghan Road.
“It is desperately needed,” Ms Sweeney told the Donegal News.
“If they are going to insist on people getting out and walking, then they are going to have to provide the services and the lighting to go with it to make it safe.”
At present, Ms Sweeney said pedestrians and cyclists using that road are “taking their lives in their hands”.
Agreeing with Ms Sweeney, Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly said he submitted numerous motions calling for safety measures at the junction, including signage and a yellow box.
Cllr Kelly said he has requested funding for a new footpath from the Lismonaghan junction to the Oldtown Bridge, opposite the former Hideout Bar, to improve pedestrian safety.
He has also advocated for raised speed tables and a pedestrian crossing between the former Hideout Bar and Lismonaghan junctions.
However, he said his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“It is not good enough,” Cllr Kelly said.
“It is areas like this, in my opinion, where active travel should be implemented.
“I have said this time and time again and this area is just one of many that is crying out for safety measures such as ramps and a pedestrian footpath and crossing.
“It angers me to hear that a young woman is now in hospital and I wish her a speedy recovery but it’s time the roads team in Donegal County Council take these concerns serious in relation to this area.”
Planning to raise the issue at the next meeting of Donegal County Council, Cllr Kelly said the situation cannot continue.
“The residents are at their wits end in this area, as are road users,” he said.
“Walkers and cyclists are taking their life into their own hands at both junctions with the lack of safety measures being implemented.
“Funding has to be sought to upgrade this area as a matter of urgency.”
Meanwhile, gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed Monday’s collision to get in touch.
“If anyone witnessed the collision or if they were in the area with a dash-cam, please contact Letterkenny Gardaí on 074-9167100,” a garda spokesperson concluded.
