'It's a valid point': Pedestrian crossing proposed for Offaly school
Tullamore MD Leas-Cathaoirleach, Oliver Bryant made the proposal at the July meeting of the elected members
A new pedestrian crossing has been proposed in order to facilitate students attending an Offaly school ahead of the upcoming academic year.
The suggestion was put forward at the July meeting of the Tullamore Municipal District in the Town Hall as part of the roads programme update.
Tullamore MD Leas-Cathaoirleach, Oliver Bryant made the proposal for the Tullamore national school stating: “Is there a possibility of getting a pedestrian crossing at Educate Together on Collins Lane because there will also be a new school constructed there in the next 12 months or so and there is currently no signage on any of the approach roads to show a school is even there.”
Senior District Engineer with Offaly County Council, Joe Dooley responded: “As far as the the pedestrian crossing request at Educate Together, that’s a fresh one but it’s a valid point especially with the new school so we will put that on a list and see where we can source funding for it and get that project done.”
Planning permission was approved back in November, 2025 for a new two-storey school building for the Offaly School of Special Education (OSSE) in Tullamore.
The new school will include 12 classrooms for pupils with special education needs and will be constructed at a 2.3 acre greenfield site owned by the Department of Education at Norbury Woods Avenue.
The site is located just off Collins Lane to the north of Tullamore and will be adjacent to the existing Educate Together National School meaning that any potential pedestrian crossing could serve students attending both schools.
Councillor Bryant also followed up by asking if any measures can be put in place up until funding for the project can be secured. He said: “On Educate together, there’s 251 pupils there and the majority of them cycle or walk to school, would it be possible to get signage or something along those lines in the meantime along that stretch to the school?”
Mr Dooley assured: “A contractor has been asked to carry out a full review of all our electronic signage and we are prioritising the school ones first so we can have those in working order ahead of the return to school.”