Council calls for improved road safety at local schools

THE council has called for 20mph speed zones to be introduced outside all schools across the district.

 

The Department of Infrastructure has received funding to introduce 20mph zones outside 100 schools in the North, but members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council believe a 20mph zone should be introduced at all schools.

 

At a recent council meeting, members agreed to approach the department about the widening of the 20mph zone allocations at schools across the entire district.

 

Cllr Bert Wilson said that this move should be welcomed and traffic calming should be introduced at schools to improve road safety, while

Cllr Alan Rainey questioned how many schools in the area would avail of the 20mph zone scheme.

 

He said, “Is it just nine places that we are allocated here in Fermanagh and Omagh? If we take all of the A class roads out of it, is it not going to meet our needs here.”

 

Traffic calming measures are also set to be introduced to improve road safety at two local schools in Sixmilecross and Greencastle.

 

Traffic speed and volume surveys will be undertaken at Cooley Primary School, Sixmilecross in the new school year in a move to make the area safer.

 

Unfortunately, a traffic calming scheme at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Greencastle will not commence prior to the start of the new school term due to the pandemic.

 

The department spokesman explained, “In relation to the traffic calming scheme in Greencastle, the next step will be to consult with the village community regarding the scheme proposal and objectives.

 

“Given current Covid-19 restrictions it is not possible to undertake an informal public consultation meeting in the village at present.

 

“Given these restrictions, it is unlikely that the informal and the more formal legislative consultation to provide calming measures will be able to be completed in time to permit a scheme to be implemented before September 2020.”