Bodyke and Dromindoora schools to take part in NRA study

TWO national schools in East Clare will be included in a pilot study being conducted by the National Roads Authority (NRA) to establish road safety improvements in the vicinity of the educational facilities.

Bodyke and Dromindoora National Schools have been selected by Clare County Council to take part in this study, which will identify measures to improve the safety for staff and children attending the school.
This was announced by senior executive engineer, Seán Lenihan following a motion from Councillor Joe Cooney at a recent Killaloe Electoral Area meeting.
Councillor Cooney asked if the council could lend its assistance with measures to improve the parking facilities at Bodyke National School and review traffic-calming measures in the village.
The O’Callaghan’s Mills’ councillor said the situation regarding the school and traffic coming through the village was dangerous. He told the meeting he understood the school had approached a local landowner concerning the parking issue.
He explained there had been a number of minor accidents and near misses at the corner of the village where the Scariff to Ennis road intersects with a local minor road.
Expressing concern about the traffic situation, he warned that a number of motorists coming from the Scariff side were continuing straight onto to the local road without stopping.
He suggested the council should consider erecting a sign on the local road “local traffic only”.
Councillor Pat Burke said that cars going from Scariff to Ennis would “shoot up” the local road if they were behind a heavy goods vehicle.
Mr Lenihan told councillors traffic going from Scariff to Ennis should stay on the regional road in Bodyke.
He pledged the council would consider doing something to make it less attractive for motorists to use this local road.
Commenting on Bodyke National School issue, he pointed out that the council had no responsibility to provide parking outside the school.
“It is a matter for the school authorities to provide parking for staff and parents.  The council has in the past assisted where possible and I would be happy to meet with the principal or board of management to discuss the matter further at a mutually suitable time,” Mr Lenihan said.