'No budget' for repair of Letterkenny's High Road

There is no budget to repair a Letterkenny road that has become a ‘hazard’ for motorists.

The High Road has deteriorated to such an extent that divers using the road, close to Letterkenny University Hospital, now have to negotiate pot holes, uneven surfaces and sunken manholes.

Councillor Gerry McMonagle called on Donegal County Council to resurface the High Road from the New Line Road junction to the Hospital Roundabout ‘as a matter of urgency’.

At this month’s meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Councillor McMonagle was informed that there is no budget to carry out resurfacing on this section of road.

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“Possible options for funding are being considered, including being prioritized for the 2024 Restoration Improvement programme,” the local authority said in response to a motion from Councillor McMonagle.

“I don’t know if we can wait that long,” Councillor McMonagle said. “The road has deteriorated rapidly and it has become more pronounced since the bottom part of the road was resurfaced.

“The High Road is an integral part of the roads in Letterkenny. There is traffic on it consistently and I don’t know if we can allow that to happen.”

David McIlwaine, a senior executive engineer for Donegal County Council, said the Council would consider options, but said they may get ‘a section’ done prior to 2024.

“Options are limited,” Mr McIlwaine said.

Councillor McMonagle said the volume of traffic using the road should be taken into account and implored the Council to explore funding options.