Roadworks causing 'traffic chaos' for town

People in County Donegal's largest town have hit out at what they say are chronic traffic problems caused by roadworks, which are due to continue for six months.

Jimmy Stafford, president of Letterkenny chamber of commerce, said journeys are being delayed by up to 40 minutes and some traders are reporting a drop in business of up to 40%.

The works are part of Active Travel projects, which include the creation of bike lanes.

Donegal County Council (DCC) said the works should help "alleviate congestion in Letterkenny" once completed.

Letterkenny, a town of about 22,000 people, has close links to Londonderry in Northern Ireland, with many people making the 20.5m (33km) half-hour daily commute between the two places to work or study.

Large numbers of people from Derry and other parts of Northern Ireland also regularly travel through Letterkenny to get to holiday homes in places like Dunfanaghy, Gweedore and Downings, as well as to the west of Ireland.

The governments in Northern Ireland and the Republic have long-terms plans to restore the cross-border railway line between Letterkenny and Derry, then onto Portadown.

This has been identified as key to improving cross-border rail connections.

The Irish government has invested more than €1bn (£870m) in active travel schemes since 2020, with an estimated €360m (£313m) earmarked for projects in 2026.

Active travel schemes help to develop walking and cycling projects that offer safe, sustainable and healthy transport options.

BBC Radio Foyle has contacted The National Transport Authority (NTA) for comment.

Fianna Fáil councillor Donal "Mandy" Kelly said he receives calls every day, particularly in the morning, due to the heavy build-up of traffic on the four-lane route into the town.

Problem areas include Dromore, Windyhall and Oldtown.

"The view of many people in Letterkenny is that works on Active Travel projects are a major hindrance, causing traffic congestion," he said.

"I've had numerous calls from bus operators who can't get children to school on time, as well as from businesses.

"A well-established business owner who has invested millions recently is reporting that staff are arriving late for work due to traffic delays around the town."

Leonard Watson, who owns Watson Menswear in Letterkenny, believes the town is a victim of its own success due to the large numbers of people travelling there for work and shopping.

"Letterkenny is a busy town," he said.

"We have something like 25,000 people coming into the town in the morning and leaving again in the evening."

While his trade is down, he said the traffic situation outside peak hours is not a major problem.

Brian Gallagher, who owns the Station House Hotel, said the authorities need to find a solution to the "traffic gridlock" in the town.

"The solution to this problem is the construction of a new bridge across the River Swilly," he said. "We've been campaigning for this bridge for up to 40 years.

"Letterkenny is the main town in Donegal and there is massive employment, with 3,500 staff going to work in the hospital every day, another 4,000 students at ATU (Atlantic Technological University) and social welfare workers.

"A lot of traffic wouldn't have to come into the town at all if we had a new bridge over the River Swilly and another relief road to the south of the town."

Gallagher believes the whole of County Donegal is hindered by a lack of suitable infrastructure.