At a recent meeting of Borris-in-Ossorry/Mountmellick Municipal district, concerns were raised regarding a dangerous approach road along the Rosenallis Road in Clonaslee, just past Tír na nÓg playschool.
Local councillors Seamus McDonald and Paddy Bracken have called on the council to provide signage, road markings, speed ramps, flashing lights and a pedestrian crossing outside the playschool.
According to Cllr McDonald, the playschool will cater for 63 children this year and is on the site of the old boys school, where it sits on a bend on the road.
“The playschool is in a dangerous location. It’s been there for the past two years. The main problem and concern is with traffic speeding along that road.”
“Visibility at the location is people’s main problem coming from the village and they are not aware of the schools because there are no signs” he added.
Mr McDonald hopes they can put something in place until a more permanent solution is put in place, such as traffic calming measures or lights.
He called to the playschool himself at its busiest time of the day. He noticed cars collecting children had blocked the school’s entrance, and believes part of the problem is down to driver behavior.
“There’s a big car park there and the cars parking along the road are blocking the view of other motorists.”
Senior engineer Farhan Nasiem responded with a written reply saying, “The road design section (of the council) will inspect this site in the coming weeks. Road safety recommendations, if required, will be proposed at any stage. Any works will be subject to funding being available.”
The district’s acting senior engineer Paul McLoughlin said that an assessment of the road was needed and if its necessary that works have to be carried out, the report findings would reinforce the council’s submission to the department for funding.
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