New traffic lights proposed for Oatfield Junction in Letterkenny

New traffic lights have been proposed for the Oatfield Junction in Letterkenny as part of the town's active travel works.

The signalised junction would remove the current mini roundabout to allow for safer cyclist and pedestrian crossings.

The proposal is part of the R940 Ballyraine Road project which will narrow the road and add new cycle lanes along a large portion of the route.

A dedicated pedestrian/cycle link is proposed from the Oatfield Junction to the Letterkenny Shopping Centre alongside the integration of cycle facilities within the Station Car Park.

The plans are currently out for public consultation and public feedback is invited before the deadline of 4pm on Wednesday,  March 26.

Details of the scheme were shared in documents from Tuesday's meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford MD, as Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh asked for a yellow box at the Oatfield roundabout at old Aldi.

Cllr Kavanagh pointed out that the roundabout gets badly blocked during busy times. He also asked the council to address pedestrian safety for those crossing on the Oatfield side at the bottom of DeValera road, adding that it is "extremely dangerous".

In response, David McIIwaine, Senior Executive Engineer of the Letterkenny-Milford Roads Section said that the Junction is located within the Part 8 proposal for the Ballyraine Raine Road NTA Active Travel Scheme.

In the interim, Mr McIlwaine said that an assessment can be carried out to assess if it is safe and appropriate to put a yellow box at this location.

The Ballyraine Raine Road NTA Active Travel Scheme public consultation and drawings are available to view at: https://consult.donegal.ie/en/consultation/letterkenny-active-travel-projects-%E2%80%93r940-ballyraine-road