The school community of Scoil Mhuire Fatima are very content at the moment as the school finally secured a vitally important footpath on the Stradbally Road.
The absence of a footpath approaching the school from the housing estate on the Stradbally road has long been a source of frustration for the school community.
On Friday last, the people responsible for delivering the project, gathered to look back on a job well done.
Chairperson of the Board of Management, John Delaney, explained that “the road approaching the school is on a downward bend and was a significant health and safety risk to the children.
“A footpath really should have been installed when the housing estate was built but it never happened for whatever reason.
“The sale of the parochial house in recent years had compounded the issue, as previously, the children could walk onto parish land for about half the distance between the estate and the school.
“Since the sale of the house, the children had to walk entirely out on the road. So as a Board of Management, we are delighted with the outcome of the footpath. The safety of the children is the most important thing.”
John was thankful to neighbouring property owner, Jessica Byrne, the Parish Council, Fr. Breen and to Fr. Vard for their cooperation with the project.
He said: “The footpath has been built inside the ditch, on the land of the school and parish and crosses the entrance of the neighbouring property, so it was crucial that all parties were on the same wavelength.
Everyone had the safety of the children in mind so that was very pleasing.”
Principal, Michael Mc Evoy also expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the project.
He said: “This is a huge success for the children and has put all our minds at ease.
“I am very grateful that John and the other members of the Board of Management made this such a priority action.
“We are very thankful to Councillor Paschal Mc Evoy for working with Laois County Council on our behalf.
“He really drove on the project and was key in getting the required budgets in place for the project to happen.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank councillors PJ Kelly, Aisling Moran, Ben Brennan, Padraig Fleming and Aidan Mullins who also pledged funding towards this hugely important project.
“Garda PJ O’Brien and Garda Brian Kelly were also hugely influential in highlighting the significant health and safety issues that existed. This was a key factor in spotlighting the need for the path.
“The Director of Services in Laois County Council, Simon Walton, engineers Philip McVeigh and Ollie Fennell were great to work with and were very mindful of school operations throughout the project.
“Thanks to Adil Rehman and the THM Ltd (Total Highway Maintenance) team for doing a great job on the project. We are delighted with the outcome.”
Parents and children are delighted with the footpath and it is getting great use. An all-round good news story.
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