Dangerous conditions outside rural Waterford schools

Dangerous roads, lack of parking, high speeds and traffic congestion are problems, which a number of schools in rural Waterford are facing, and local councillors this week have raised the need to address such issues.

Primary schools in Clonea Power, Kilmacthomas and Fews were mentioned as areas impacted.

Speaking on the issue, Cllr Declan Clune said: “From Kilmacthomas primary school I’m getting quite a few concerns for safety of children, particularly at dropping off and collection hours. There's traffic coming with speed there and there’s a genuine concern. It's bedlam there.” 

Cllr Clune added that there are similar issues at Fews primary school, saying there is a "serious issue with speed" in the area.

He asked that representatives from the council would meet with school principals to discuss the concerns. Cllr Seanie Power suggested similar, saying that at Clonea Power national school, speeding and parking issues persist.

Gabriel Hynes, Senior Engineer with Waterford City and County Council, responded to the queries, saying that the council are limited in how they can address these issues: “The normal situation is the schools don’t have any parking facilities or drop off areas, so there is congestion. It is difficult at peak times.

“Certainly we don’t have funding for provision of parking or set down areas... the onus is on the schools to provide the land and significant funding. We can help in relation to signage and a speed limit review will commence in the next four to six weeks."

Mr Hynes added: “The national policy would be that we need a shift away from people driving to school continuously and a move towards cycling, walking and public transport.”

Cllr Clune said that at present, this might not be possible in rural areas. 

“The ideal scenario for children is cycling, walking and using public transport. Unfortunately for rural areas like Fews, Clonea and Kilmacthomas, that’s not really an option. In an ideal world I’d support you one hundred percent.” 

Cllr Catherine Burke, principal of Mount Sion primary, agreed with Cllr Clune and Mr Hynes, saying that more needs to be done for the provision of public transport.

“I want to support Gabriel’s suggestion of reducing cars to schools, I think it’s a wonderful suggestion. Could we as a council please push the associated government departments to provide an adequate service to schools that will reduce cars and reduce the issues we’re talking about?"