Council response to request about busy road outside school is 'cop out' and 'copy and paste reply'

56 residents signed a petition regarding concerns about speed at Ballinamore Community School in Leitrim and called for the speed zone to be extended out the road, it was revealed at a recent meeting.

Cllr Gary Prior told members and officials that he "wasn't happy with the response; it's a cop out and a copy and paste response," after he called on the council to address the speed issue on the R202 approach road into Ballinamore. 

The South Leitrim councillor stated that he had put a similar motion before the council a number of months previously asking that a raised safe crossing be installed on the lower side entrance to Ballinamore Community School.

He also called for the town speed limit to be extended further out the R202 Swanlinbar road, saying, "this is in the interest of public safety and the protection of local residents, students, and parents accessing the school daily."

He said that schools opening up again in recent weeks, "it's a huge issue and I'd say that all local representatives have received correspondence from Ballinamore Safety Group where 56 residents signed a petition."

READ MORE: Over 1,200 Leitrim children missed more than 20 days of school last year

Cllr Prior said that he was particularly concerned about the approach road "coming up to the community school in Ballinamore; it's a huge risk and a very busy spot; there are over 350 kids going to school there and I don't want to be waiting until something happens until the council acts on it."

The official response said that following a road safety audit carried out by the developer, it was determined that the uncontrolled crossing point at this location was sufficient and that a full controlled crossing point here would see a loss of parking. 

The response added that the section of road is located within the 50km/hr speed limit, and the gardai can be notified if speeding is an issue at this location.

Cllr Prior said: "I don't accept that that parking spaces will be gone; we met with the previous engineer on this and there was an alternative site for the crossing identified with little or no impact to parking. We need to push on and seek funding for that safety measures outside Ballinamore before something serious happens."

Cllr Paddy O'Rourke, who sits on the school's board of management, supported the motion saying this has "been the subject of remarkable discussion several times" and adding that "once it presents a risk to those entering or exiting the school, it merits a response on behalf of the council. If there is a solution that can be found without compromising parking, it should be pursued."

READ MORE: Price of four-bed detached home in Leitrim jumps over 15 percent year-on-year

He said that HGVs come "thundering down that road" and "there are a lot of people dropping up and picking up at various times and that leads to a severe bottleneck at those times". 

Cllr Róisín Kenny also supported the motion saying that "I don't want to have to wait until, God forbid, something happens. It's a very busy spot and vehicles to go fast because it's a straight stretch."

Cllr Brendan Barry also supported the motion saying it should be "prioritised for a pedestrian crossing and a solution should be found that wouldn't have much impact on parking."

District engineer, Emma Donohoe, said that measures to improve the location have been carried out with driver feedback signs installed earlier in the year.  

She noted that a review of the countywide special speed limits will be carried out by the Roads Department once the urban speed limits (30kph) have been finalised.  

Cllr Prior noted that in "every other town, leading up to a school, there are safety measures such as ramps or bumps; it's a full stretch of road either side towards that school with over 350 children going to school there; I will raise it again and hope I don't get the same reply again."

Ms Donohoe's responsed that Ballinamore Community School can apply for the NTA's Safe Route to Schools (SRTS) program when it reopens. She said: "That's where the main funding is through the NTA for these works. Unfortunately, the school didn't apply back in 2021 when if first opened."

Cllr Prior responded: "But seriously, would it cost that much to put in a ramp or crossing below it?"

She said: "Ramps with proper flashing beacons and markings; you are talking €60,000."

Cllr Prior concluded: "We seem to be fighting very hard to get safety measures at this school in Ballinamore; I really ask that you work with us on this."