No Council funding to combat speeding outside Laois schools

With Laois schools now reopened for the new school year, two Laois schools have expressed concerns regarding incidents of speeding outside school gates. 

Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin tabled two motions requesting Laois County Council to address the speeding and traffic issues at both Killadooley NS and Killanure NS.

Pictured: Killadooley NS. Photo: Google Maps

"The Safe Routes to School Programme is headed by An Taisce and it is the school themselves who apply for inclusion on the programme," replied the Active Travel section of Laois County Council's Roads Department. 

"It is understood that applications are not being sought at this time but schools should contact An Taisce for further information," the Council finished.

Cllr Bergin welcomed this response, yet highlighted that other schools have received funding through the scheme.

"Thanks very much for the reply. The safe routes to school programme has not been open for a number of years, it is under the Active Travel funding we get each year,"" he said.

No scheme available from Laois County Council to fund road safety works outside Laois schools. File photo

"Killadooley is a very busy school, it has grown a lot over the last couple of years. It is in a rural area and serving a huge catchment area. There are issues with traffic and speeding going into the school, and there are a series of narrow and local roads leading in to the school," he shared.

"They have a very busy créche and it causes huge congestion in the mornings. At the moment there is a very old car park there and there isn't a huge amount of room, there is no safe route from the car park across the road to the school," Cllr Bergin said.

"The principal has been in contact with me and it would be welcomed if we could get some kind of works carried out, perhaps road markings or pencil bollards. When that funding is reopened, I will push for Killadooley to be included," he said.

Pictured: Killanure NS. Photo: Google Maps

"It's the main road heading towards Kinnitty. The school has grown over the last couple of years, it's probably the most northernly school in Laois," he said.

"It is a very well run school, there are issues there at the church car park, perhaps with the active travel funding, bollards and signage would make it easier. These are two schools in the area that I would like to flag, it has been brought up with me by both parents and the schools," he said.

"September is the time of year that people are back in school after a busy summer, we don't want to see an accident this school year, or any school years. Every child is entitled to a safe route to school, I would like to see these schools included," Cllr Bergin finished.

Fellow Fine Gael Cllr John King seconded the motion, highlighting traffic concerns.

"All schools are crazy places for traffic in the morning time," he said.

"The vehicles being driven are bigger than the normal cars of years ago. Signs could be put on the junction to indicate that there is a school there. It's a good notice of motion, and it's very worthwhile," he finished.

Independent Cllr James Kelly also seconded one of the two motions put forward for safety works to be carried out.

"I understand that it has been recommended to contact An Taisce for further information, but are there any other funding schemes that the schools could avail of in conjunction with the Council?" Cllr Kelly questioned.

Pictured: Slieve Bloom cycle trails in Laois. Photo: Coillte

"It's great that we are getting visitors into the county, and hopefully we can hold on to them, but the traffic is speeding and the school is there. Parents and staff are very worried about this. I fully support this," Cllr Kelly finished.

Senior Executive Engineer with Laois County Council, Mr Rory O'Callaghan, replied that he will investigate whether schools can be included under the Low Cost Safety Scheme works.

"I don't know of any other funding source. I will find out if I can include that stretch of road under the scheme," Mr O'Callaghan finished.

This motion was tabled at the September sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.