Calls for safer pedestrian crossing for ATU Donegal students at Letterkenny campus

Calls have been made for a safer pedestrian crossing for students attending ATU Donegal in Letterkenny.

There were two separate motions on the issue presented to the March meeting of Letterkenny-Milford MD, relating to student safety crossing from the ATU front entrance on Port Road to the student car park opposite.

Independent Cllr Michael McBride asked: “that Donegal County Council in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the ATU look at the possibility of installing a pedestrian crossover of the Port Road between the ATU front gate and the car park on the opposite side of the Port Road.”

His call was echoed by Fianna Fáil Cllr Donal Coyle, who suggested a pedestrian underpass from the carpark to the front entrance.

Cllr McBride said that the Letterkenny campus serves up to 5,000 students and the university is expanding with new buildings and accommodation plans. He said that traffic from the Polestar Roundabout is backing up to the lights at the current ATU crossing.

“We have to get the ball rolling without interfering with traffic flow and the development of ATU Donegal,” said Cllr McBride.

Cllr Coyle said that there are up to 400 spaces in the car park opposite ATU. He agreed with Cllr McBride on the traffic situation in the area.

In suggesting a pedestrian underpass, Cllr Coyle said this would accommodate wheelchair users.

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“The area needed for an overpass takes up more ground and an underpass is a lot less bother in relation to traffic,” said Cllr Coyle. “This is something that should be explored and pursued with the TII and ATU.”

David McIlwaine, Senior Executive Engineer of the council Roads and Transportation team, said the council would “certainly follow it up”.

The official council response reads: “Donegal County Council can arrange discussions with the ATU regarding the crossing at the entrance to the ATU on the Port Road. Currently there is no funding to advance change to the system at this location, but options can be considered if funding opportunities become available. 

“Consideration can be given to carry out an assessment of the operation and layout of the signals at the existing junction to see if options to improve the operation of the signals are available.”