Parking woes persist after funding blow to St Conor’s

EFFORTS to address parking congestion at St Conor’s Primary School in Omagh have hit a standstill due to funding constraints within the Department for Education.

With 443 students, the need for additional parking at the Tamlaght Road has become increasingly urgent to ensure safety and alleviate traffic gridlock during peak hours.

However, despite previous discussions and efforts to explore potential solutions, including securing adjacent land for parking expansion, plans have been shelved indefinitely due to budget constraints.

Principal Katrina McGettigan expressed disappointment over the delay.

She stated, “Additional parking would help ensure safety for all at drop-off and pick-up times, as well as helping to relieve traffic congestion and improve the situation for local residents.

“Unfortunately, however, the Department for Education has advised that the current budget position would not permit delivery of such a scheme at this time.”

A petition, signed by 1,300 concerned individuals, underscored the community’s pressing need for a resolution to the parking challenges.

West Tyrone SDLP MLA, Daniel McCrossan, condemned the pause in work.

“The current situation is unsustainable,” he said. “There are 440 pupils and over 50 teachers on the site and not enough parking or traffic calming to make it safe.

“It is upsetting that work has had to be paused because of budget pressures.”

Education Minister Paul Givan said the Department had been in discussions with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council regarding potential land acquisition for parking expansion at the school.

He added, “Whilst my Department has engaged with the chief executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council regarding the potential to acquire land opposite the school to facilitate additional parking, this work had to be paused due to the restricted budget position.”