{"id":77618,"date":"2025-09-21T20:53:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T20:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/77618\/"},"modified":"2025-09-21T20:53:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T20:53:11","slug":"lives-in-danger-over-letterkenny-traffic-congestion-sweeney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/77618\/","title":{"rendered":"Lives in danger over Letterkenny traffic congestion – Sweeney"},"content":{"rendered":"

A former election candidate has claimed Letterkenny\u2019s traffic congestion is putting lives at risk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mary T Sweeney, Aont\u00fa Representative, chaired a public meeting on the issue in the Station House Hotel on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

The aim of the gathering, she said, was to raise community concerns over the daily traffic chaos and lack of infrastructure in the town.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlanning without infrastructure is endangering residents\u2019 lives, and the community is determined to hold decision-makers accountable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She opened the meeting by thanking Councillor Tom\u00e1s Se\u00e1n Devine Devine who organised a similar event in Oldtown two weeks ago. Cllr Devine brought a motion to discuss traffic concerns to Donegal County Council and Cllr Ciaran Brogan has called for a traffic workshop to be held.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is really the start of what\u2019s needed,\u201d said Ms Sweeney.<\/p>\n

Calls were heard from the audience regarding serious safety fears affecting residents, particularly those with disabilities.<\/p>\n

Mark, a 28-year-old wheelchair user, described how both lights on the back of his wheelchair were broken when cars reversed into him, while he was forced to travel on roads with no footpaths. He also outlined how he carried out a \u2018Wheelchair Accessibility Study\u2019 for Donegal Centre for Independent Living, but sadly, it was never implemented by the council, he added.<\/p>\n

Leah, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, spoke of her fear when crossing roads due to poor balance and a lack of safe pedestrian crossings, especially stepping on and off high kerbs.<\/p>\n

It was proposed that an independent engineer should be employed to review some recent planning decisions. All present agreed and the committee is to investigate setting up a \u2018Go Fund Me\u2019 page to pay for the review.<\/p>\n

Ms Sweeney, who is spearheading the campaign, announced that one local businessman has already offered to finance an architectural review of the Old Town Bridge, as he felt it was an important historic part of our community worth retaining.<\/p>\n

The Aontu representative highlighted her submission to the town plan, identifying six priority areas for improvement, including bottlenecks and employment zones. She proposed a new circular road system linking Woodlands, Calhame, the Mountain Top, Windy Hall, and Ballymacool to relieve pressure on town traffic.<\/p>\n

She reminded those in attendance that, in 2016, \u20ac3 million was the figure allocated for the Cockhill Bridge in Buncrana. In contrast, an estimated \u20ac14 million was spent widening the one kilometre four lane road.<\/p>\n

Other key concerns raised on the night included: Removal of the second traffic lane at the Port Road\/Polestar roundabout, worsening congestion; Lack of infrastructure such as signage, footpaths, pedestrian crossings, and safe kerbs; Safety hazards for emergency services struggling to navigate gridlocked streets, and poor consultation and lack of scrutiny in council planning decisions.<\/p>\n

Community organiser Paddy McGranahan closed the meeting by reiterating the urgent<\/p>\n

need for pedestrian crossings and traffic calming measures, particularly at Leck and<\/p>\n

Lismonaghan roads, where speeding remains a major safety threat.<\/p>\n

A dedicated \u2018WhatsApp\u2019 group has been set up to keep residents informed, and details of the next meeting will be shared via social media.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lives in danger over Letterkenny traffic congestion \u2013 Sweeney was last modified: September 21st, 2025 by Contributor<\/p>\n

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