In the dark on checks across Laois to see if school safety signs work

It is not clear if an audit of flashing warning signs at Laois schools has been carried out or is underway.

The checks were demanded by county councillors last year and the issue arose again in February when a councillor called for more safety on the road serving the Pike of Rushall’s school.

Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, appealed to Laois County Council to erect new signs and fix existing ones at Rushall NS.

“It’s a fantastic school with 40 or 50 pupils with a new principal. The road is extremely busy. Cars can park on the other side of road from the school and pupils can cross. It’s quite dangerous,” he said.

Cllr Bergin also highlighted the flashing warning lights at the school.

“I was there recently and the principal checked them - they weren’t working,” he said.

To add to the risk to children, Cllr Bergin said there is an issue with lighting which he has sought to repaired. He said ramps are not being sought but road markings would also be useful.

He said the principal had also sought direction signs from the village to help people locate the school.

He said the two-teacher school was a very important part of the community.

Cllr James Kelly, Independent, supported his colleague and raised the issue of a previous request made by councillors more than a year ago.

“We spoke about a survey on our rural national schools to check if the flashing signs are working. I don’t know if that was carried out,” he said.

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Cllr Kelly said there have been numerous requests to improve safety following collisions nearby. He called for a road audit.

Cllr Ollie Clooney also supported.

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In written reply to the motion, Mr. Paul McLoughlin, Senior Engineer, said the council’s Road Design Staff would assess safety provision at Rushall NS and arrange for replacement/new signage as deemed necessary.

The issue was raised at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.

There was no reply to Cllr Kelly’s query about an audit on flashing lights from the council’s management team who attended the meeting.