A ST Johnston business owner has launched a petition calling on Donegal County Council to urgently make safe a dangerous road close to her premises.

Alice Lynch, of Maggie’s Tavern, a popular family run bar in Carrickmore, said frustration is building among drivers who use the Back Lone Road, between Carrickmore and Reteen.St

The road is an essential link for residents, local farms, and even HGV traffic. However, it is narrow, full of blind bends, and dangerous for all road users. The narrow section of the road is leading to motorists having to reverse around two dangerous corners to give way to oncoming traffic.

Local residents express their concerns about this dangerous narrow section of road. Photos: Brian McDaid.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Ms Lynch said aside from the dangers posed, drivers have told her of how the underbody of their vehicles have been left damaged in the process of letting other cars pass.

“It’s a very dangerous road and very narrow. If you’re driving along the road and you meet another car you have to reverse 400 metres. You get to a certain point and one person has to give way to another.

“It’s very annoying for drivers, and it also leads to a lot of frustration. It’s really just a wee lane but it is a central link from one road to another.

“A number of people have told me that the underbody of their car has been damaged badly. Others have said they simply don’t want to use the road any more. It’s a main road, if you were coming from Letterkenny and you had to go to Carrickmore, Google Maps will take you on that road.

“It’s a public, council road. There is nowhere to pull in if you meet another vehicle, and if you do pull in you, you’re likely to go into the hedge and do damage to your vehicle.”

Maura Sweeney with the petition local residents are being asked to sign in a bid to action change.

A petition set up by Ms Lynch has so far amassed 500 signatures. She is distributing petitions and is also calling on people to call in to Maggie’s Tavern to pick one up and collect signatures.

“We want to let Donegal County Council know how dangerous this is. I have been told we need to get 1,500 signatures, so I am distributing the petitions. Anyone I talk to who uses the road has said that a petition is a great idea.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.

“All we’re asking for is basic stuff; to have a couple of pull in points along the road and to cover the drain.”

Alice Lynch, of Maggie’s Tavern.

Ms Lynch praised Councillor Martin Harley for acknowledging her correspondence. However, she said she has been left disappointed by a lack of response from Council officials.

“I know we can’t get instant work done, but an acknowledgement from the Council would have been good, but I’m not letting that put me off because the people around here have been very supportive.

“I’m asking anyone who uses this road to call in to the pub to get a sheet, take it away, get signatures on it and let’s tell the council that we need action to make this road safe.”

Ms Lynch has also posted a video to Maggie Tavern’s Facebook page, which she has also asked that people share.