By Eoin McGarvey
RESIDENTS, businesspeople, schools and community groups in Loughanure are calling for urgent action to tackle speeding on the N56, warning that it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs if measures are not introduced.
The middle of Loughanure village is governed by a 50kmh speed limit, but locals say many motorists are failing to adhere to it, creating a significant safety concern for pedestrians, businesses and road-users alike.
The issue has taken on added urgency as the village hosts Irish language courses over an eight-week period each summer, welcoming up to 800 students.
Many of these students walk between accommodation and local amenities, increasing concerns about the dangers posed by speeding traffic.
Coiste Cultúr & Forbartha Loch an Iúir has now launched a campaign seeking speed reduction measures for the village. The group is calling on all relevant agencies to improve road safety before a tragedy occurs.
As the N56 is a national primary route, responsibility for introducing permanent traffic calming measures rests with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in partnership with the local authority.
A meeting was organised in the village at the weekend by Eugene Greene of Coiste Cultúr & Forbartha Loch an Iúir, bringing together local businesses, members of the community and it was also attended by Cllr John Sheamuis Ó Fearraigh.
The Irish language college is situated on the roadside of the busy N56 in Loughanure village.
Those attending discussed the growing concerns around speeding and agreed to pursue a plan without delay aimed at securing safety improvements.
Among the solutions discussed was the introduction of speed ramps and vehicle activated speed reduction signs indicating to drivers that they are exceeding the speed limit. It is felt locally however, that this national N56 road would not be considered by TII for ramps.
Community representatives say they will continue to press the relevant authorities to act, arguing that reducing vehicle speeds through the village is essential to protecting residents, visitors and the hundreds of Irish language students who spend time in Loughanure each summer.
Eugene Greene, Chairman of Coiste Cultúr & Forbartha Loch an Iúir told the Donegal News that the businesspeople, the Irish college, the national school, and the community are supporting the campaign for speed reduction in the village, amid claims that their calls have fallen on deaf ears in the past.
“The lives of the people using this road is of high priority and we feel if we let this go much further there will be a fatality,” he said.
“We hope that Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Donegal County Council will pay heed this time as they haven’t paid heed to me as chairman of Coiste Cultúr Locha n Iúir in the past ten years.”
Cllr John Sheamuis Ó Fearraigh described the speeding issue in Loughanure as a “huge issue” on this busy N56 route. He said the summer season brings a huge influx of traffic to and through the village.
“We’ve been talking about this for a few years now and to date there has been very slow progress,” he said.
“It needs moving forward to have the speed reduced and maybe install ramps.
“What I’m hearing and what I witnessed myself is the overtaking of vehicles on this stretch and drivers not heeding the speed limit. It’s causing concern for locals and the Irish college. Now is the time to act and now when there is a fatality.”
Cllr Ó Fearraigh said he is hopeful there will be progress in the coming weeks or months where something will be put in place to slow the traffic.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the roads section of Donegal Count Council have been contacted for a statement.