Frosses 27,000-car speed survey accelerates need for €5,000 speed sign
Councillors discuss €5,000 sign at Frosses after survey reveals ‘real problem’
Donegal Municipal District (MD) councillors discussed funding for a €5,000 periodic speed sign in Frosses, after it was revealed that 41% of drivers were not driving under the speed limit.
Speeding at Frosses has been a contentious issue, with a 500-signature petition being handed to Donegal County Council in July calling for greater traffic safety measures, particularly around Frosses National School, with councillors now calling for a periodic speed sign costing €5,000 to be erected.
At September’s Donegal MD meeting, the Area Manager for Roads and Transportation, Mark Sweeney, discussed the results of a speed survey conducted in Frosses over a 13-day period.
He said: “We surveyed over 27,000 vehicles. The average number of vehicles was 2,900 per day. 59% were under the speed limit. The average speed limit was below 50kph during school hours, but there were still individuals doing 65kph. The maximum speed by anyone was 78kph.
“There is a serious problem. Not as successful as I thought it was going to be, but there is still an issue.”
In response, the Donegal MD Cathaoirleach, Cllr Jimmy Brogan, said: “Regarding the speed check at Frosses, there are still a lot of cars speeding, so it is good that we are aware that there is a real problem.
“€5,000 for that sign is not a massive amount of money. I know it has to be found somewhere.”
Cllr Noel Jordan stated: “I would like to welcome the speed survey at Frosses, and it shows there is a problem. We also talked about a proper road crossing.
“Maybe a suggestion for funding the sign is to take that funding from the Minor Construction Scheme. It is probably within the realms of the scheme. Before any works are carried out there, can we erect the periodic sign we are talking about?
Sweeney later replied: “That €5,000 is for one sign. I was hoping to do was to leave it to closer to the end of the year, and if we have money from maintenance in that area, we could pay for it with maintenance.
“If we don’t have enough, I will come back and talk to you.”