West Donegal village to protest over 'excessive speeding'
Residents of the Donegal village of Leitir Mhic an Bhaird held a protest to demand action against excessive speeding on the N56 road. Despite local concerns and data showing high speeds, the local council states that safety improvements are subject to design resources and national priority approvals.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between local community safety needs and the bureaucratic constraints of national infrastructure planning.
A west Donegal community held a protest this afternoon over "excessive speeding" through their village, situated along one of the north west's main thoroughfares.
Residents in Leitir Mhic an Bhaird say vehicles speeding through the Gaeltacht village have "become a huge source of concern" since the upgraded N56 opened in 2017.
Despite a 60km/h limit, a local authority speed survey carried out over 10 days in December 2020 found that 85% of cars exceeded 80km/h while travelling through the village of about 650 residents.
While no recent similar data is available, the Lettermacaward Development Association said the protest is supported by local schools, community groups and those who have witnessed "near misses".
The association said it is "not prepared to wait for a fatality before action is taken to reduce the speeds at which vehicles travel" through their village.
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