Children’s safety ‘can’t all fall on council’

THE Department of Education and schools have a responsibility to provide adequate parking to ensure the safety of children, according to a senior council official, who commented, “It can’t all fall on the council.”

This week’s meeting of Ennis West Electoral Area councillors saw Councillor Tony Mulqueen call for a review of traffic calming measures and parking arrangements for drop off and collection of school children at all schools in the Ennis West Area.

Eamon O’Dea, senior executive engineer for the area, outlined that the council are reviewing arrangements around schools continuously. He pointed out that Ennis Town Council recently provided additional lining at Scoil Chríost Rí in Cloughleigh to reduce impact on the school crossing location.

He added that in the modern age, a lot of parents are now dropping off and collecting their children from school by car. “There is a responsiblity on the department and schools to provide for adequate parking, it can’t all fall to the council,” he commented.

Recent improvement works have also been carried out in locations that would benefit other schools in the town including St Flannan’s, he highlighted.

“If we are made aware of an issue we go and look at it and see if there is something that we can do,” he said.

Also at the meeting, Councillor Mulqueen called for the installation “as a priority” pedestrian traffic lights at the junction of Childers Road and Circular Road, commenting that a lot of school children cross in this area.

Mr O’Dea replied, “Ennis Town Council will consider the inclusion of this crossing location for technical evaluation and, subject to the technical evaluation, will proceed with the consultation process. The provision of a pedestrian crossing will be subject to the evaluation and available funding provided by the Department of Transport.”

The meeting also heard Councillor Brian Meaney urge that Clare County Council provide a pedestrian crossing on the Gort Road close to Ashfield Park. According to Councillor Meaney, a large amount of people cross at this section, including people with intellectual disabilities living in the area.

Mr O’Dea said, “Ennis Town Council will proceed to carry out the evaluation process for the provision of a pedestrian crossing on the Gort Road this year and, subject to evaluation, will proceed to consultation process.

The available resources are being used to develop works where funds are provided this year and the evaluation process will follow this work. The provision of a pedestrian crossing will be subjet to the evaluation and available funding.” He added that in making an assessment, the council endeavours to bring “maximum benefit to people living there”.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of Ennis East councillors, it was claimed that young lives are in danger in Ennis as a local councillor called for the installation of a pedestrian crossing near the grounds of Éire Óg GAA Club.
Councillor Pat Daly asked for an update on the proposed crossing.

He said, “There are more than 200 young lads, academy hurlers and footballers who are using the club every week and it is treacherous for them crossing that road. Lives are in danger.”

Eamon O’Dea, responded, “Ennis Town Council will proceed to carry out the evaluation process for the provision of a pedestrian crossing on the Clonroadbeg road this year and, subject to evaluation, will proceed to consultation process.

The available resources are being used to develop works where funds are provided this year and the evaluation process will follow this work.

The provision of a pedestian crossing will be subject to the evaluation and available funding.”