Overflow of cars impeding emergency services access to Milford estate

Emergency services have been unable to get access to a Milford housing estate due to an overflow of cars.

Milford-based Cllr Declan Meehan has called for increased parking spaces in Lower Mount Marian to accommodate an increasing number of cars in the estate.

He made the request at the Letterkenny-Milford MD meeting and asked the council to include provisions for enhanced road safety, including a pedestrian crossing and ramps on the road into the estate.

Previous additional parking spaces were created, however, Cllr Meehan expressed the need for more to meet demand with the increasing population in the area.

“It is a busy and populous housing estate,” said Cllr Meehan. “It’s not uncommon for one house to have two or three cars.”

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He expressed concerns for children’s safety going to the playground across the road from the houses.

“There have been incidents of emergency services not being able to get into the estate, including fire engines and ambulances,” he added.

“Lower Mount Marian needs 30 more spaces. We need a project on the ground. Cars are double-parked which is dangerous for children and pedestrians.”

In the meantime, Cllr Meehan asked for temporary road safety measures including a raised table crossing.

Cllr Tomás Seán Devine seconded the motion.

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In response, David McIlwaine, Senior Executive Engineer, Roads said: “The proposed Milford Town First Plan has provisions for additional parking, pedestrian crossings and safety included in its initial plans for the park next to Lower Mount Marian and enhanced measures in Lower Mount Merrion can be considered in conjunction with this project.”