Council urged to 'get real' on dangerous Kilmacrennan junction

There are fears that there will be a fatality if safety measures are not installed at The Square in Kilmacrennan.

The busy junction, on the main N56 road, has been the scene of countless road traffic accidents.

A few weeks ago, a car coming from the Trentagh road went through the junction, colliding with a car travelling towards Letterkenny on the main road.

At the March meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Councillor Michael McBride asked that flashing stop signs be erected to warn motorists on approach to the junction.

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Footage of the recent crash was circulated on social media and Councillor McBride said it was the fourth such occurrence of late.

“We have talked a lot about this junction, but it's time to get real here,” Councillor McBride said.

“We need something in place to sort this out. The problem always happens on the road coming from the school. Obviously, it's not well enough marked and we need it marked – quickly.

“It's only a matter of time before someone loses their life on it.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor John O'Donnell, who outlined just how close a shave the recent accident had been.

“One car hit the building of mine there,” Councillor O'Donnell said. “The door there is a public entrance and there could just as easily have been someone coming in our out, standing out smoking or something.

“We were very fortunate that it wasn't more serious. Something needs to be done as a matter of urgency. We, as a Council, need to step up and get measures in place.”

A response from Donegal County Council said that the location has been referred to the road safety section of the local authority to explore the options.

David McIlwaine, a senior executive engineer for Donegal County Council, said that safety assessments have been carried out on the junction.

He said: “Traffic counts and speed counts have been done there. There are stop lines and stop signs. We will look at safety measures, from low-level to high-level solutions.”