Serious safety issues, described as ‘an accident waiting to happen’, have been outlined at a recent meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District.
Independent Councillor Tommy Mulligan put down a motion in relation to traffic and parking concerns at Scoil Bhride National School in Portlaoise.
He also spoke about safety issues on Harpurs Lane and asked for the installation of bollards, introduction of traffic calming measures and utilisation of the existing car park.
Cllr Mulligan said: “I have spoken with new principal Michael McEvoy on this and he has serious concerns.
“From erratic parking, children sometimes cannot be seen and it is not safe for them to walk or cycle to school.
“There is a car park there but dangers exist when cars are entering and exiting.
“The spaces for Treo Nua and residents who live along there are also being taken up.
“There is a pedestrian crossing there that has no lights and is not lit up at all.
“It is an accident waiting to happen and the risk is far too great now.
“There are no signs on approach that say ‘school ahead’ or no signs about the car park either.
“Could we erect the bollards that are pencilled shaped like we have in other schools?”
In response, Director of Services Paul McLoughlin said that extensive work has been done here in conjunction with Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise College, LOETB, Gardai and the Portlaoise Town Team.
He said: “We have worked with these to ensure the measures installed to date to address the issues highlighted are utilised and observed.
“Further safety and traffic management measures can and will be considered for this location having first ensured that the existing available facilities are being effectively used.
“The car park caters for 80 spaces with a ready made drop-off zone.
“We want not to ticket people but to encourage them, it’s a behavioural change, with all parties working together.
“There are other areas where roadsides are flittered with bollards, we want to encourage people to obey the law.
“The pencils are costly but an excellent initiative by An Taisce, I’d encourage all schools to participate with them.
He said further safety and traffic managemnt measures “can and will be considered having first ensured that the existing available facilties are effectively being used.
Cllrs Caroline Dwane-Stanley and Barry Walsh supported the motion.
Cllr Dwane-Stanley said: “You hit the nail on the head, there’s a field (carpark) to the side and we can’t get people to go in there.”
Cllr Walsh said: “What they have in Abbeyleix is ideal – you can’t put a price on safety.”
