A West Donegal councillor has raised concerns over road safety issues outside several local schools and has called for immediate traffic calming measures and safety works to prevent accidents.
Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig highlighted the growing issue of speeding outside Scoil Adhamhnáin in Luinnigh, situated next to Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair.
He said the area has seen a number of near misses, including an incident in which a young boy was knocked off his bicycle.
The councillor pointed to the heavy traffic on the one-way system around both schools during busy drop-off times in the mornings and afternoons.
“I appreciate the rush at drop-off time, but people need to slow down and be mindful and respectful of other road users,” he said.
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig has been working on the issue for several years, engaging with Principal Donna Uí Fhearraigh and the wider school community.
He praised their proactive efforts in addressing the problem.
He stressed that a ramp that had been in place to slow traffic was removed during a resurfacing of the busy road by the council, despite calls to retain it.
He also spoke of how Scoil Naomh Chonaill in Bunbeg recently received traffic calming measures as part of a School Safety Works programme.
“It’s a good job and it is working really well so far,” he said, stressing that similar measures are needed elsewhere.
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said the road safety issues are not isolated to just one area, pointing out that similar concerns are replicated across West Donegal.
He raised particular alarms over schools in Loch an Iúir and Burtonport, where traffic safety remains a pressing issue.
Scoil Na Hacrai, located in Burtonport, he said, is in dire need of a footpath and also called for traffic calming measures, such as speed ramps, along the busy stretch of road between Loch an Iúir and Anagaire, where Scoil Eoin Pól is situated.
