Schoolgirl 'scared' to cycle in Co Meath pleads for speed signage

Louise Walsh

An eight-year old schoolgirl who is 'scared' to cycle because of speeding traffic has pleaded with local authorities to take action.

Little Freya Doolan approached Meath Co. Council after racing traffic forced her and her father Oliver to disembark from their bikes and stand close to the ditch at certain parts of the road in the seaside village of Mornington.

She says there are very few signs showing the speed limit in the area.

The national school pupil created a video with her dad Oliver, showing her cycling on her pink and teal bike while cars whizz by.

While pleading for signage, she created her own 60km/ph sign 'until the council makes their own."

In a letter to Meath Co. Council she says: "I am writing to you and all the councillors in my area because I really want speed limit signs on my road, please.

"A lot of cars go way too fast up and down this road and it's not safe."

She added that she loves her bike and cycles all the time but says sometimes it is 'scary' when cars fly by and she and her dad have to get off the bikes, especially at bends.

Freya's dad Oliver said his daughter highlighted "the real safety risks for local residents, children and road users due to the lack of signage

"This road is heavily trafficked, with speeding vehicles a regular concern and the absence of signs from key approach points makes the situation particularly dangerous."

The father and daughter have asked the council for an onsite meeting to discuss practical solutions and a review of the stretch of road 'as a matter of urgency.'

Since sending the video, Oliver said he has received messages of support from all the councillors so is hopeful of a solution.

It's not the first time that the civic-minded young girl has taken the council to task over problems in her area.

Last year she asked her dad to take a video of inappropriate graffiti on equipment in her local playground and send it to local councillors.

The council then cleaned up images of body parts and crude words sprawled across the equipment and Oliver says it has remained clean ever since.

Local Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Meade has rowed in behind Freya's requests and shown admiration for her civic-mindedness

"She's great in highlighting these issues and I think I and most of the other councillors support her totally. As well as any signage, I would also be urging motorists to slow down, especially in built-up areas.

"I can see a career in politics for her in the future!" he laughed.