Children are taking their lives in their hands when crossing the “dangerous” ‘Respond Road’ in Oranmore to attend the town’s various schools.
This is the view of Reform Alliance senator Fidelma Healy-Eames, who this week inspected the road, along with councillors James Charity and Jim Cuddy, parents, and the principal of Oranmore BNS.
The ‘Respond Road’ as it is known locally is an access road to Gaelscoil de hIde which also provides access for those attending Oranmore Girls’ school, Calasanctius College, and Oranmore Boys’ NS.
Safety concerns are being expressed by parents and school management as the road experiences heavy volumes of traffic between 8.15am and 9am and again in the afternoon.
“Due to the volumes of traffic, some motorists coming against the traffic may not see a child trying to cross the road,” she said. “Some parents take their children across the road by hand. The worry on their faces is obvious. Already there have been three or four ‘close shaves’.”
She added that motorists are unaware that the ‘Respond Road’ is an access entrance for children.
Sen Healy-Eames and Cllr Charity are calling for a pedestrian crossing to be installed at this location. According to Cllr Charity, one of the conditions for the road’s planning permission was that a pedestrian crossing be installed.
Sen Healy-Eames said until this matter was clarified, motorists should “slow down and pay extra attention to children crossing the Respond Road. She is also seeking temporary signage “to alert motorists to the dangers present for children in this area
