Laois school near GAA pitch invisible to speeding drivers
Dangerous situation at Ballacolla demands urgent action insist Laois councillors
Laois County Council must take urgent action at Ballacolla's school to improve safe because no alerts are warning passing motorists of the presence of children.
Cllr John King and Cllr Ollie Clooney teamed up to call for action at St Pius X NS in Ballacolla at a recent meeting with Laois County Council in Portlaoise.
Cllr King’s motion asked council to put in place safety measures at the school “as a matter of urgency”. He said the school area is very busy with parents dropping off children for school and GAA activities.
Cllr Clooney’s motion sought traffic calming measures at the school.
Cllr King, Fine Gael, said he had been contacted by the principal and parents. He claimed that there are no alerts to motorists about the existence of the school which is at full capacity.
“There is no indication whatsoever. I am asking for serious work…you wouldn’t realise how bad it is until you go and see it,” he said.
He added that a flooding issue needs to be dealt with also at the school.
Cllr Clooney, Independent, had similar worries and wanted flashing lights and other measures to notify drivers of the school.
“You would pass the school and you wouldn’t even know it was a school,” he said.
He warned about speed on the straight stretch of road.
Cllr James Kelly, Independent, said every school now has traffic calming and St Pious NS deserves the same.
Edmond Kenny, Senior Executive Engineer, responded in writing to Cllr King that the council would provide what assistance they can insofar as matters come under its remit.
James Dowling, Senior Executive Engineer for Roads, replied in writing to Cllr Clooney. He said the Road Design office would review the existing traffic arrangements and consider options for improving safety.
The issue was raised at the Borris-in-Ossory Moutmellick Municipal District meeting.