'A five-minute Letterkenny journey now takes 45 - it is putting lives at risk'

Deputy Charles Ward has told the Dáil that the lack of proper transport and infrastructure in Donegal “is putting lives at risk.”

The Donegal Deputy believes people are unable to rely on public transport to get them where they need to go, when they need to go.

“We also have the issue in Donegal of having no rail network, meaning that we have no alternative to buses,” Ward said. “Most people are therefore forced to rely on their cars, which contributes to the chronic traffic issues we have in parts of Donegal.

“The Polestar roundabout is often gridlocked and emergency services constantly struggle to reach Letterkenny hospital. What used to be a five-minute journey now takes 45 minutes, and it is putting lives at risk.”

READ NEXT: Festival decline is devastating for towns and communities in Donegal

The 100% Redress Party TD highlighted how the lack of public transport is negatively impacting Donegal’s night time economy and called on the government to extend local link nighttime services to generate more business for the local hospitality sector in rural Ireland.

Deputy Ward also stressed the importance of upgrading transport infrastructure to facilitate those who use public transport most, young people, older people and people with disabilities.

He said: ‘From talking with members of the Irish Wheelchair Association and my constituents recently, it’s clear that people with disabilities find public transport inaccessible and unreliable. We need a public transport system that works for everyone and leaves no one behind.’