An access-only measure is being considered for one entrance to Ashlawn estate in Letterkenny, where almost 1,000 vehicles a day are using residential roads as a shortcut.
The option is being examined after a traffic survey recorded heavy volumes through the estate, as well as speeds of up to 70km/h.
Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, who raised residents’ fears at Tuesday’s Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District meeting, called on the council to do more to stop commuters using Ashlawn as a link between the Gortlee Road and the Ramelton Road.
A traffic count by Donegal County Council last October recorded around 980 vehicles passing through the estate on weekdays and between 250 and 260 at weekends.
Cllr Kavanagh said the figures indicate that the traffic is not just residents of the estate, which has around 100 homes.
“The volume of traffic is way too heavy for what it was built for 40 years ago,” he said.
Cllr Kavanagh said the estate is used by youngsters, older residents and students, and that safety must be the priority.
“Safety is the thing, and if something happens there, we’ll all have a big regret about it,” he said.
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He called on the local authority to take residents’ proposed solutions on board, such as a redesign of the route, changing the placement of speed ramps and introducing measures to slow traffic at the upper entrance.
Residents have said the worst of the problem lies at the lower access road, which is narrow, has a blind bend, no footpath and operates as a two-way road.
The lower access road to Ashlawn
Cllr Kavanagh acknowledged that any changes could add to congestion in the wider area during morning and evening peak times, but said “you cannot expect residents to cope with the volume and speed they have to endure”.
In its response, the council said options for reducing traffic are being considered.
It said the most effective option would be to make the junction with the Ramelton Road access only, meaning all traffic exiting Ashlawn would have to do so via the junction with the Gortlee Road.
Cllr Donal Coyle said it would be worthwhile for council officials to meet residents and discuss the proposal regarding access at the Ramelton Road junction.
Senior Roads Engineer David McIlwaine said works may be able to be carried out in conjunction with the Ballyraine active travel scheme, and that the first step could be a meeting with the residents’ group to gain feedback.