Pearse Road businesses feel ‘victimised’ as road layout hits footfall

Businesses on a section of the Pearse Road in Letterkenny are struggling to stay afloat due to the road layout, it has been claimed.

The Mayor of Letterkenny, Councillor Kevin Bradley made the call at the latest meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District. Councillor Bradley asked that the issue at the temporary island junction between Pearse Road, Paddy Harte Road and Larkins Lane be addressed ‘as a matter of immediate urgency’.

Councillor Bradley said he has been contacted by business owners who feel they are being ‘victimised’ due to the one-way system on the Pearse Road.

"Businesses are suffering, especially on the left hand side of the road, because you have to go around the town to get back to them," he said.

The Council, in response to Councillor Bradley’s motion, said there is currently no funding available to make amendments to this junction. The Roads Area team have programmed to paint the island in the coming months.

"Amendments to this junction may be examined in the future through the Letterkenny Town regeneration scheme subject to works programme and funding," a spokesperson said.

Councillor Bradley said the island was intended to be temporary, and that a roundabout should be considered while a planning application for apartments at the junction is before the council.

“It isn’t good enough to say we’ll close your door but paint the island,” Councillor Bradley said. “Costs have doubled and yet business is down by maybe 40 per cent.

“We are the people walking the street listening to this. These people feel victimised - and rightly so.

Councillor Michael McBride said the junction is a long-running issue, describing it as ‘the worst junction I have ever seen in a major town in my life’.

Councillor McBride called on the council to take an hour to see the manoeuvres being made at the site.

An application has been made to Donegal County Council by Gerald McCallion on behalf of Glenturas Construction Ltd for a new residential building in the area.

The application was lodged with the local authority on November 27 and relates to a site at the junction of the Pearse and Paddy Harte roads.

The developer proposes to construct a new residential building consisting of 28 apartments. Included in the applications are provisions for associated site works and connection to all public services.

Councillors stressed that there was nothing against the planning application in their comments and welcomed the need for additional housing.

“There should be a detailed roundabout here or another alternative plan in how to deal with the traffic here,” Councillor McBride added.