Town's green could make crossing a safer option

A MOTION calling for improved pedestrian safety near Timoleague National School received widespread support from councillors who believe it is currently dangerous to children.

The issue was raised by Sinn Féin Cllr Paul Hayes who warned that parents and young children were taking their lives in their hands on the public road outside the school.

‘There needs to be a pedestrian crossing and traffic calming measures installed,’ he insisted, especially since the numbers of pupils attending the school have increased considerably in recent years.

‘Due to the large increase in pupil numbers at the school,’ he said, ‘the existing school playground is no longer able to cope with the amount of children.’

He explained that the school representatives are looking to make use of the large public green area across from the school, which would necessitate a safe crossing from the school to the field.

The councillor also asked for speed bumps and other traffic calming measures to be incorporated in the plans because many parents drop off younger children at a playschool further up the road, before walking their older children to the school. 

Cllr Hayes made the point that the local community hall is also situated along the same stretch of road. ‘It’s a hive of activity, especially in the mornings, and we need to ensure that parents and young children can safely enter and exit the school and enjoy the open space in the public park area.’

The motion received unanimous support from other councillors who called on the Council officials to carry out a review of other schools in the West Cork area in order to see if similar works might be required. 

The Council’s engineers said the proposed works outside of Timoleague National School would be included in this year’s Low Cost Safety Programme of works.