Overgrown dual carriageway verges a 'disgraceful' sight for visitors
Safety concerns have been raised over overgrown grass and poor visibility on the busy approach to Letterkenny at Manorcunningham.
The issue has sparked a fresh road safety debate on junctions off the dual carriageway and the Manorcunningham Roundabout.
Cllr Donal Coyle, who raised two motions on the area with the council this week, said he believes that biodiversity should be balanced with visibility, particularly around the Trimragh junction towards the Big Isle.
“I can understand the reluctance because of biodiversity, but where vision lines are being impaired because of grass, that certainly is a safety issue," he told Tuesday's meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly strongly backed the call and criticised the appearance of the dual carriageway.
“We have fine entrances into this town and two stick out in relation to overgrown grass - the dual carriageway and coming in at Ballymacool Park,” he said.
“The dual carriageway looks a mess coming into Letterkenny. We saw the visitors coming in all weekend and the state of the carriageway is nothing short of a disgrace.”
The local authority said vision lines at junctions will be maintained and a full cut of the dual carriageway is planned for September or October 2026.
“I would personally hope to see action on this motion before September,” said Cllr Kelly.
Senior Roads Engineer David McIlwaine said the council had inspected the junctions and was satisfied that sight lines met the required standard.
He said the approach to grass cutting also involved biodiversity and budget considerations.
“If we cut the grass now, it will grow again and will need to be cut in October. It’s a budgetary constraint,” he said.
Mr McIlwaine added that this type of biodiversity management had been praised in Tidy Towns reports.
Cllr Coyle remained unconvinced and asked the Roads Service to take another look, saying he had received a number of calls from the public.
Cllr Coyle also raised concerns about lane signage for traffic approaching the Manor roundabout.
“Traffic going on to Lifford is meant to take the right lane. A lot of cars don’t and it’s causing a problem,” he said.
“There needs to be a sign to show one lane goes left and the other goes straight on or around the roundabout.”
The local authority confirmed that a safety assessment has been completed and the report will be issued directly to elected members.
This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.