‘Lettermacaward is not prepared to wait for a fatality before action is taken’

Signage purchased and erected by the community in a bid to remind motorists to slow down and abide by the speed limit | Lettermacaward Development Group

placeholder image — Signage purchased and erected by the community in a bid to remind motorists to slow down and abide by the speed limit | Lettermacaward Development Group

The demonstration will take place on Wednesday at 3pm along the N56

A protest has been arranged to tackle the “excessive speeding” in Lettermacaward.

Community groups and two primary schools will join together to create a demonstration on Wednesday, September 2, at 3pm along the N56.

The protest is another step being taken to combat the speeding, which has been an issue since the N56 was realigned in 2017. Despite the road being subject to a 60kph limit, a survey undertaken by Donegal County Council in 2021 showed that 85% of cars were travelling at more than 80kph.

The Lettermacaward Development Group initially engaged with Donegal County Council’s Roads Department in 2020, with suggestions of traffic calming measures and better signage.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland subsequently drew up a safety plan/scheme, costed at €95,000, but advised that as there had been no fatal or serious accidents on this road, it was of “low priority”, and would not be funded. The scheme was rated as “level 4”, because of the lack of fatalities/accidents. The Development Group has continued to press for safety measures, to no avail.

“There have been a significant number of accidents and near misses in the past years, and it seems only a matter of time before there is a serious or fatal accident,” Lettermacaward Development Group said. “With road deaths in Donegal (10 already this year), and nationally, increasing again Lettermacaward is not prepared to wait for a fatality before action is taken to reduce the speeds at which vehicles travel through our beautiful village. We want action immediately.

“There are two schools; a post office; a housing estate; a shop; a petrol station; a church; a public hall; a GAA pitch; and a popular bar along this stretch of road, and not one safe place to cross the road.”

Previously, pupils, parents and teachers at Scoil Bhride stood outside to highlight the 60 km/h speed limit in the area. The 60 km/h zone through the village stretches for 2.1 km, and the village is seeking to create awareness, leading to stronger traffic-calming measures.

The Lettermacaward Development Group, with the support of Councillor Brian Carr, commissioned their own signage, which has been erected at the entrances to the village and on the roadside.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme