The building of two new schools on the east side of the city may be in danger of being delayed by up to 20 years if a dispute over an access road is not resolved in the coming weeks.
The primary and secondary schools due to be built on a landlocked site in Doughishka have been the centre of a protest involving residents of the Tur Uisce estate.
Councillors were told at Monday’s city council meeting, that if the dispute is not resolved by June the city is at risk of losing the Public Private Partnership money to build the schools.
Director of services Ciarán Hayes stressed that outline planning permission for the site was granted based on an access road being built through Tur Uisce. Mr Hayes stated that if the road is not built by June, funds for the school may be lost.
“The access to the school is through Tur Uisce,” he said. “If the city misses this opportunity we will not have another secondary school on the east side of the city for another 15 to 20 years.”
Labour councillor Colette Connolly proposed that the council go ahead and build the road so funding is not lost, but “commit to providing an alternative access prior to the school opening”.
Director of Services Mr Hayes said he had a problem with committing to providing an alternative access as “changing access to the site could compromise the bus corridor or the current public amenity”.
The access road will provide for up to 1,100 children to be ferried in and out of the area. The volume of traffic has caused concerns for local residents fearing for the safety of children, and traffic congestion.
Cllr Connolly suggested that if an agreement is not made with residents an appeal to An Bord Pleanála could “bury the schools”.
Mayor Michael Crowe proposed that residents, local area councillors and city council directors meet this week to find a resolution. He said: “It is important to bring all concerns to one forum.”
