Appeal for pencil bollards at Laois school

AN appeal has been made for pencil bollards and upgraded road markings to safeguard children at a Laois primary school.

The road outside Scoil Bhríde NS in Rathdowney needs more prominent safety measures to reduce risks for students, a council meeting was told.

Cllr John King asked for coloured pencil bollards, similar to those outside Scoil Mhuire NS in Abbeyleix and Ballacolla NS, to be installed at the Rathdowney primary school, which has about 230 pupils.

At the December meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District, he also asked Laois County Council to upgrade road markings in conjunction with the installation of bollards, ‘to create road safety awareness for all drivers of vehicles and children attending this school’.

Cllr King said: “A great job was done in Abbeyleix and Ballacolla and I’d like to see the same in Rathdowney.” 

 The proposal was supported by Cllr Conor Bergin, who said the brightly coloured pencil bollards were very effective, as drivers associated them with a school and the need to take extra care and slow down.

“It’s a small thing but it makes a big difference,” said Cllr Bergin.

Senior engineer Rory O’Callaghan pointed out that it was up to individual schools to apply for the pencil bollards, under a programme run by An Taisce.

In a written response to the proposal, senior engineer Diarmuid Donohoe from the council’s Active Travel section said: ‘To date, work completed at schools has been done through the Safe Routes to School Programme, led by An Taisce. It is recommended that Scoil Bhríde applies for inclusion on the programme when An Taisce next invites applications.’