By Róise Collins
UNAUTHORISED lane closures on arterial routes are responsible for recent “traffic chaos” in Letterkenny, a meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District has heard.
A motion tabled by Cllr Donal Coyle at Tuesday’s meeting asked the council to explain the reason for the traffic chaos on the Kilmacrennan Road on Friday, September 29 which left motorists at a standstill.
It emerged that the delays were due to the unauthorised closure of traffic lanes by Uisce Éireann contractors who are currently replacing a 1km stretch of old troublesome water mains in the Carnamuggagh area of Letterkenny.
Councillors claimed this was not the first time contractors had closed lanes on busy Letterkenny roads without proper authorisation.
Cllr Coyle said that it “beggars belief” that any contractors think they can close lanes without prior council approval.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle said carrying these works out during busy periods only exacerbated the problems with the town’s traffic, stressing that the works on the Kilmacrennan Road were agreed to be carried out at night time.
Cllr McMonagle asked the council if they would be issuing penalties to contractors found to be breaching such agreements. Cllr Coyle also agreed that penalties should be put in place.
A council spokesperson told the meeting that procedures are now being followed.
However, if there were consistent breaches then this would impact contractors’ ability to get future licences.
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