Work on Skibbereen’s Safer Routes to School scheme has caused consternation with people complaining about ramps being too high and potentially damaging to cars.

Others have complained that traffic calming measures, such as kerbed planters, are causing difficulties for truck and lorry drivers who find they now have little or no space to manoeuvre.

The issue was raised at a meeting of the West Cork Municipal District by Cllr Brendan McCarthy (FG) who noted there is ‘lots of commentary’ about the works online.

He said it is the ‘raised tables’ – essentially elongated speed ramps – that are causing the greatest frustration.

‘There’s one at the bottom of the road leading to the school, and one in front of the courthouse, which certainly slows down traffic, but one car has already driven straight into the curbed triangle,’ he said.

Cllr McCarthy acknowledged that the previous pedestrian crossing in that area was ‘not fit for purpose’ and he welcomed the investment in Skibbereen saying: ‘Other towns are crying out for safer routes to school programmes.

‘It was designed to encourage children to walk and cycle to school, and locals will, over time, get used to it, but it is the lorries and buses coming into town, who are not aware of it, that are having the difficulties,’ said Cllr McCarthy, who suggested more road signage might serve as a warning to them.

Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) said he too is getting grief about the scheme. He said it was a priority in Skibbereen because of the high concentration of schools, and the sports centre, all being located in one area, but he suggested: ‘This is over the top.’

His description of the road works with its pencil-like bollards, its concrete planters, and jazzy road markings as being ‘a bit like snakes and ladders.

‘If a truck drives as far as the grotto and wants to turn around it can’t. There is no need for all this stuff they have done, ‘ he said.

‘This is the main road into the town of Skibbereen and we need to slow it down, but this has gone too far.’

Cllr Daniel Sexton (Ind Ire) agreed. ‘It’s confusing and very tight in some places. It has helped with some issues, such as cycling to school, but it’s very tight for vehicles,’ he concurred.

Cllr Isobel Towse (SD) said: ‘People are supposed to park in the car park at the bottom of the hill and walk their children up.’

But, she asked, what provision has been made for pupils who can’t walk, or have a disability?

Cllr Towse said a lot of parents had been in touch with her to complain about the congestion that is being caused.

And she suggested that a lollipop woman, or man, should be appointed to assist in making it safe for children to go to school.

Senior executive officer Noreen O’Mahony said she would pass on councillors’ comments, but suggested that the new system will need ‘time to bed in’.

Cllr Caroline Cronin (FG) said: ‘Anything that helps to slow traffic through our towns and villages should be welcomed, especially if it makes access to local schools safer.’

Meanwhile Cllr Brendan McCarthy complained that the resurfacing works at Townshend Street in Skibbereen looks ‘patchy.’

He suggested that the high standards applied to North Street, Bridge Street and Main Street should also apply to Townshend Street instead of having it surfaced in two uneven halves.

Cllr McCarthy said the resurfacing of the Marsh Road was also a top-notch job, but it leaves the pitted surface of Ilen Street ‘sticking out like a sore thumb’.