The school principal of St Joseph’s Primary School near Ballykinlar has expressed her concerns and those of the parents of children attending the school that the road facing the school is unsafe.
Mrs Siobhan McMullan said: “The issues around the dangerous bends where the school is located must be addressed before a serious accident occurs. Quite simply, you can’t see clearly from the right hand side of the exit if you are leaving the school premises. It is simply an ongoing issue and parents are deeply worried about the potential for accidents.
“We have 77 pupils at the school and there has been some increase in our numbers in recent years. There is a steady traffic at both ends of the school day when parents leave their children off to school and collect them.
“The solution would be to introduce a set of flashing lights and low ramps or rumble lines to slow passing traffic down. Less than a hundred yards on both sides the road moves into bends and speeding traffic have little time to adjust as they approach the school. There is only a set of school traffic signs just now alerting motorists to be aware and slow down.
“We have to be realistic what we are calling for, but the dangers here are quite apparent and must be addressed. And in the winter months it can be quite dark which adds to the danger especially when the roads are wet and slippery. We have lorries and buses on this road and quite simply when a child gets out of school they could be in danger.”
Speaking after meeting with the school principal where they discussed the road safety concerns of parents and local road users, South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said: “It is clear that there is an immediate need for flashing warning signs and a traffic management strategy to be introduced on either side of the school entrance to St Joseph’s.
“The approaching on the road does not give drivers adequate warning of the school and the children entering and exiting the school at this point. The school access also poses problems for parents given the lack of natural sight lines.
“In addition to the obvious flashing signs and traffic management strategy, I will also be asking Roads Service to look at realigning the adjacent corner as this would improve sightlines and safety for pedestrians, children and vehicular traffic. I have also be asking Sustrans to get involved in road safety measures with St Joseph’s, Ballykinlar”.
Cllr McGrath, SDLP Assembly Candidate for South Down, added: “I had been approached by parents of children attending St Joseph’s who are very concerned about pedestrian and driver safety in the vicinity of the school.
“Following this meeting with the principal Mrs McMullan, we have requested a meeting with Roads Service to progress the case and look at all possible road safety measures that should be installed in this area.
“The safety of our children is always paramount and I will be calling on Roads Service to prioritise their assessment of this area and the installation of much needed road safety measures.”
