Application for Roscrea school road safety upgrades unsuccessful

An application for funding to install new traffic safety features outside a school in Roscrea has been unsuccessful.

Corville National School has 320 pupils and requires a safety crossing and local representatives expressed their disappointment that an application for €50,000 to improve safety was not granted.

Cathaoirleach of the District, Cllr Michael Smith, is also Chairman of the the school's Board and said he is “deeply disappointed” the school wasn't accepted for a low cost safety measure.

“It is difficult every day for parents and children and huge work went into the application with consultants - this is also the only part of the town not linked by a safe path”, Cllr Smith said.

“There are a number of pinch-points at the site and ramps are a short-term measure, we need something better for the school and the town and we need to work harder to get it”, he said.

Cllr Shane Lee said speed limits are not not being enforced outside schools and parents and residents of the areas are very concerned.

District Engineer, Eamonn Lonergan, said it is unfortunate the application was not successful, but reassured the members a new speed survey will be carried out and all options will be examined.

“With the size of the school there is a safety requirement and we will go back to the NTA to try get extra funding”, Mr Lonergan said