Residents fear for their safety as crash barrier flattened
Residents living below a dangerous bend on the Lough Salt Road fear they could be struck by a car on their own property after repeated collisions flattened the crash barrier meant to protect them.
Councillor Liam Blaney has demanded urgent repairs to the barrier on the Termon side of Lough Salt Road.
Cllr Blaney said the barrier was installed approximately 20 years ago to protect a house and a street below the road, where residents park their cars.
But after being struck numerous times over the years, the barrier is now lying flat on the ground.
"It's not fit for purpose," he told Tuesday's meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.
He explained that cars are now landing on the residents' property, leaving people fearful of being struck while getting in or out of their vehicles.
Cllr Blaney stressed that only around 15 metres of barrier was required to protect the property and potentially prevent a tragedy.
"If we put it up, at least it will save someone’s life than it lying flat on the ground," he said.
He also expressed frustration that his previous requests for a dedicated budget for crash barriers have not been adopted.
In its written response, the Letterkenny-Milford Roads Section confirmed that no specific funding is currently available for the repair, maintenance or replacement of safety barriers on regional and local roads.
The Council said it has sought funding from the Department and placed the Lough Salt barrier on a priority list for consideration if funding becomes available.
Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Pauric McGarvey supported the motion, stressing the urgent need to carry out the repairs.
He also asked the council about a damaged crash barrier in Downings, on the road from the Harbour Bar towards the town, which he said had "disappeared" despite his previous representations seeking repairs. He called for suitable funding to be allocated to address the problem.
Roads Engineer Donal Murphy cautioned that replacing a crash barrier was not as straightforward as simply installing a new structure.
"It has to be designed, there is a significant delay to putting a barrier in place until you have that done," he said.
Cllr Blaney called for the damaged barrier at Goaldrum to be examined in order to establish what could be done in the short term.
Mr Murphy confirmed that this would be done.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme