Lack of crossing at Athlone school an ‘accident waiting to happen’

By Rebekah O'Reilly

A local councillor has voiced his concern about the absence of a pedestrian crossing for students of Our Lady's Bower in Athlone.

Cllr John Dolan raised the Retreat Road safety issue at the most recent meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District on Monday, June 9.

"Whether they are getting the bus home or being picked up by their parents, all of the Bower students have to cross the road," Cllr Dolan pointed out.

He highlighted that this was in contrast to both the Marist College and Athlone Community College, where students have footpaths in place from the door of their school to the pick-up points.

"There's a high volume of vehicles and students in the area, and it's an accident waiting to happen. When we're looking to improve road safety, the first place we should be looking at is outside our schools, where there is the most danger.

"Students are crossing the road at various points, there's no set pedestrian crossing, and it needs to happen urgently."

His fellow councillors wholeheartedly agreed with Cllr Dolan's motion, noting that the issue had been ongoing for quite a number of years.

"This is the fifth or sixth time that this motion has been tabled," said Cllr Frankie Keena. "The Junior Mayors from Athlone Community College have also voiced their concerns about the issue. There is a need for a survey of the area outside the schools, something needs to happen. Students are crossing all over the road as it stands.

"If there's a pedestrian crossing, there should be railings put up to encourage students to use it."

Cllr Paul Hogan offered his insights as a native of nearby Retreat Park: "We have 2,000 students coming out at once, we have 500 houses in the immediate area, as well as traffic to Garrycastle. It's an issue I know too well.

"The students themselves from Athlone Community College have identified this issue, that it is not safe for students from the Bower to cross the road. There's money in the pot ready to go. It's a long-standing issue, and something needs to be done."

The Independent Ireland councillor highlighted, however, that it may be a challenge to get students to use the infrastructure once is it put in place, adding: "Students would have to be somewhat corralled, they are all coming out at different doors and different gates."

In response to the motion, District Engineer Willie Ryan said the council would need to find a solution which the students would actually use.

"We have been out to the schools before on this issue, and we need to find the best solution. It's hard to convince secondary school students to use a crossing when they're put in.

"We don't want to invest in a crossing and to have it go unused," Mr Ryan said.

The meeting was also told that the Municipal District was "committed to undertaking an appraisal of all schools in the district to audit safety needs and to generate a priority list."

Councillors were told that the school safety audit "will be commenced towards the end of the year" and that the outcome of this audit "will determine priority for interventions at schools in the District".