By Diarmaid Doherty
MOTORISTS have been urged to show patience as road users get used to the new layout and traffic lights at the busy Polestar Roundabout in Letterkenny.
The new traffic system came into force last Tuesday and there has been criticism and frustration among road users, many of whom have been caught in long tail-backs in different parts of the town.
The area around Ramelton Road and Kiltoy has been worst hit by heavy traffic, particularly at peak times, with long delays reported by motorists since the changes were implemented at the Polestar Roundabout.
A spokesperson for Donegal County Council, in a statement to the Donegal News, said the main objectives of the signalisation works are to optimise the traffic flow through the roundabout, as much as possible, and to provide safe crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Having switched on the signals on Tuesday afternoon, as outlined in our previous press release, there is now an initial commissioning period required for the signals to achieve the optimum balance of flows through the roundabout,” the spokesperson said.
“It is likely that additional traffic delays will be experienced initially as this commissioning process is carried out and motorists get used to the new layout and signals.
“This will continue to be monitored and changes will be made to improve the function of the signals where possible. We again ask for the patience of motorists and the general public during this time.”
The council spokesperson added: “We must reiterate that traffic congestion in Letterkenny and on those particularly busy roads converging at the Polestar Roundabout at peak times cannot be resolved by traffic signalisation alone.
“While it will help provide assurance, reliability and greater safety for all road users, only significant new infrastructure such as the Ten-T Project and others can hope to resolve the peak time congestion issues within the town.”
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