Former sergeant says Letterkenny traffic ‘playing Russian roulette with our lives’

A former sergeant and local Peace Commissioner has said that driving in parts of Letterkenny is “like playing Russian roulette with one's own life”.

Letterkenny-based Christy Galligan has cited a number of areas in Letterkenny where he believes traffic problems exist.

He said: “In areas such as the roundabout at Old Dunnes Stores, where everyone drives into something that resembles a roundabout, totally ignoring oncoming traffic trying to exit in the opposite direction is a nightmare, yet no action is taken by the traffic department in the council or TII to alleviate this problem.”

Mr Galligan also raised concerns about drivers who “pay no heed” to yellow boxes on roads.

“This is really noticeable on a daily basis in the case of the junction at Justice Walsh Road, Upper Main Street,” he said. “I see cars and other vehicles being driven through the amber to red lights and then sit in the yellow box, or double up alongside other cars, while blocking traffic coming in the opposite direction.

“Then there's the issue of parking on the main street which should be restricted to deliveries  and the disabled only in parts. The fact that traffic is held up on a daily basis because someone attempts to park their car near a bank, post office or chemist, etc, while car parking is available close by, is something that needs radical changing if we are to entice and attract increased footfall and new businesses into the centre of town.”

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Mr Galligan also highlighted a number of traffic light locations in Letterkenny.

“The issue of new traffic lights that were installed at Pearse Road, Justice Walsh Road, and the Polestar have been well aired,” he said. “This was done without any consideration being given to extra filter lanes or filter lights lanes at the pole star especially coming from the Ramelton side.

“Traffic light coordination is another issue that the councils need to sort out. For too long, traffic has been allowed to build up on Pearse Road at busy periods or on the Ballyraine Road with no thought on how to limit delays. Instead we will see extra traffic lights, pavements being dug up for active travel plans, pedestrians forced to walk on roads facing oncoming traffic or cross several lanes of traffic just to get to their destinations, all in the name of what they call progress.

“Where are the pedestrian bridges, so needed, and that we see in large urban areas, that are safe and reliable and that avoid any contact with vehicular traffic?”

Mr Galligan has called for an increased presence and law enforcement by gardaí on local roads.

“Nothing less than an open forum or discussion is needed involving public, council planners and other stakeholders, before we head into another summer and winter of discontent,” he said. “It shouldn't be all one-way traffic.”