Solutions are being sought for what’s being described as “unreal” traffic congestion in the vicinity of schools in Ennis at peak times.
It follows reports that vehicles are parking on footpaths outside schools in order to drop students off, thus obstructing bus lanes and creating a safety hazard for all road users.
A build-up of traffic at school drop-off and collection times has long been experienced and to a degree, accepted, in built-up towns such as Ennis.
It’s claimed the problem in Clare’s county town is being accentuated of late, however, by drivers parking on footpaths outside Coláiste Mhuire, St Flannan’s and Rice College.
This, it’s been suggested, is resulting in bus lanes being obstructed and the safety of students, pedestrians and motorists being put at risk.
Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor and member of Clare County Council’s Road Safety Working Group, Tommy Guilfoyle says unless you allow a significant amount of time to get a child to school, you can find yourself bogged down in traffic.
Clare County Council says the monitoring of parking outside schools is the responsibility of “all relevant stakeholders”.
These stakeholders, the local authority claims, include parents who drop their children to school, the Gardaí who monitior dangerous driving, the Council itself which looks after the enforcement of parking byelaws as well the provision of road infrastructure, as well as school management.
It’s also been pointed out that the local authority is involved with the Safe Routes to Schools programme in conjunction with An Taisce and the National Transport Authority.
As part of this programme, works are underway at the Holy Family National School in Ennis to provide demarcated school zones with safe crossing points for school children.
Works of a similar nature are due to take place outside Ennis National School on the Kilrush Road last this year.
Senior Engineer with Clare County Council, Cyril Feeney while the local authority has a role to play, other stakeholders must pull their weight to improve road safety outside schools.
You can listen to the full interview here:
