Faded road markings leave ‘hardly a line’ at some Letterkenny junctions
Worn road markings have left “hardly a line” at some major Letterkenny junctions, a local councillor has warned, as 71 locations remain on the town’s road lining renewal works list for 2026.
Sinn Féin councillor Gerry McMonagle has questioned whether the full 2026 programme can realistically be finished on schedule.
He has renewed his call for Donegal County Council to examine establishing an in-house road lining team with its own vehicle and equipment.
“Look at the Dry Arch Roundabout. There is hardly a line on it," he told Tuesday's meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
Cllr McMonagle said missing markings were also evident in housing estates such as Slieve Sneacht in Glencar, including areas regularly used by driving instructors and learner drivers.
“This, I think, is having an impact on those learning to drive,” Cllr McMonagle said.
He also criticised what he described as a stop-start approach to works, pointing to junctions on the Port Road where some markings have been refreshed while other sections remain faded.
"You can't do 10m and then jump on to the next 10m. If you take the Port Road, some of the junctions have been partially lined but the majority needs to be done."
Cllr McMonagle also argued that the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District needs a greater road marking allocation, suggesting its current funding could be swallowed up by works on the Port Road alone.
“I have sympathy with you on the costs," he said.
“We need to make a better case to Lifford that more money needs to be given.
“With the volume of traffic in this town, our lining does not last. Your department needs to make that argument strongly as well.”
The local authority said road marking renewal works are ongoing and that Letterkenny requires a significant amount of night work. The 71 programmed locations are due to be completed during 2026, although the works are weather-dependent.
“I can’t see when the 71 jobs will be carried out,” said Cllr McMonagle.
"This is our summer and we’ll probably be back to the rain again.
“While we are depending on the availability of private contractors and the weather, we should have our own lorry and staff to do it,” he said.
Cllr McMonagle also argued that Letterkenny requires a greater share of road marking funding because of the sheer volume of traffic.
The Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District has an allocation of €32,134 from the maintenance budget and €13,914 for road markings under low-cost accident funding.
Cllr McMonagle was told that the Roads Service is working within the budgets available and trying to prioritise areas of greatest need.