A united approach was evident from councillors in the Shannon local electoral area as they put forward the case for the introduction of enhanced traffic calming measures on the Stonehall Rd approaching Stonehall National School.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District, Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) called on Clare County Council to implement safety measures on the road โin the interest of of public safety for residents in the locality including pupils and staff attending Stonehall National Schoolโ.
Reinstatement of โdepleted rumble stripsโ on each approach to the school has been agreed. Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett outlined that he has met with primary school principal to discuss some of the concerns.
When pre-COVID levels of traffic are visible on roads, a survey will be conducted, Mellet confirmed, โthis information will be used to assist in identifying traffic management solutionsโ. Shannon MD staff will also work with the school โto advance applications for traffic management works in the vicinity of the schoolโ.
Speaking at a meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr McMahon identified the โconcealed entranceโ to the school as the โmain problemโ. He noted that the route was a rat run for younger drivers, โthere are very little turns on the road so it quite conducive for extra speedโ. He acknowledged that the school has a parking sign but noted that the primary congestion points were the drop-off and collection times.
Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) noted that it wasnโt the first time his colleagues raised the matter. โIndustryโ traffic are using the route as a runway, he believed. โThere has to be serious consideration given to traffic measures to prevent a serious accident,โ Ryan stated as he seconded the proposal.
Surveys may not ascertain that the route is used as a rat run, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) cautioned. โIt is used to access Shannon Airport and you have Aerospace on the other road, the survey may not catch that. A lot of the people that I have been informed about, they are using the run as a rat runโ. Cllr John Crowe (FG) agreed that it was used as a rat run, โthere are an awful lot of houses on both sides of the road,โ he added.
Further support was voiced by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) who observed, โthe amount of times weโve had safety around schools being discussed since I became a councillor is astonishingโ.
This view was reinforced by Cllr Pat OโGorman (FF) as he referenced discussions in Cratloe, Clonmoney and Stonehall, โweโre talking about a lot of primary schools at our meetingsโ. He suggested, โif all speed limits were brought to 50km/h there would be a standard for all schools and there would be no more coming in looking for this and thatโ.
Mellett told the meeting that safety concerns around schools were โfrequently coming upโ. He cautioned that speed limits were a โseparate issueโ and that each location was โuniqueโ. He committed to speaking with colleagues in the Councilโs transportation department on the matter.