Four crashes into family property prompt calls for roadside crash barriers

Vehicles have crashed into a Manorcunningham house - as well as the adjoining fence on numerous occasions -  leading to a call for crash barriers to be installed.

Donegal County Council has heard pleas for the roadside crash barriers to be installed in two locations in the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District after recent accidents.

Cathaoirleach Gerry McMonagle brought forward the motion to install a crash barrier and speed ramps along the frontage of a house in Corkey, Manorcunningham.

The council heard how a family living at the house, which is located at a junction, faced a fourth incident of a motorist crashing through the fence into their property recently.

On one previous occasion, a car collided with the family’s home.

Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh seconded the motion, saying: “When you go to your bed at night, you hope that yourself and the house will be there in the morning.”

Senior Executive Engineer (Roads), David McIlwaine went out to see the junction in question. Traffic and speed surveys are to be carried out at the junction to determine the next course of action.

Separately, Cllr Donal Coyle raised a request for a crash barrier to be installed at R245 Ramelton/Letterkenny Road at Loughnagin, where there is a large drop with fields below.

Cllr Doyle said it is a “priority” that a crash barrier be installed, and commented that a farmer living in the area has had to pull cars out of his fields after they came off the road. He pointed out that roads with smaller drops have crash barriers in place.

As this is a Regional road, the council heard that there will be no funding available from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, as had been requested by Cllr Coyle. However, an assessment of the road can be carried out to establish the suitability of a barrier and the length required.

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Cllr Kavanagh raised the difficulty in securing funding for crash barriers due to an increase in costs in recent years.