Councillors in the Tralee Municipal District have voted to approve safety improvement works near Mercy Mounthawk secondary school.
The works will include traffic calming measures and a shared use path going through the school grounds.
The council proposes to widen and segregate the existing cycle lanes on both sides of the R551 Caherslee road for about 145 metres, by reducing the width of the roadway.
The vehicular entry to the school off the Caherslee road will also be tightened and realigned, with a new raised crossing.
The council also plans to upgrade the existing zebra crossing near the school, and provide an additional raised, zebra crossing on the Caherslee side.
The proposed shared use path will go through the school grounds to access the Tralee-Fenit greenway.
Today’s Tralee MD meeting heard that seven submissions were made on the proposed works, including from the school itself, Uisce Éireann, and local residents.
On behalf of residents of the Gort na Sídhe estate, Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris proposed an amendment which consists of tightening the estate entrance to avoid u-turns, and improving sight lines.
Senior engineer with the council, Paul Neary, said these amendments make sense and are acceptable.
Labour councillor Terry O’Brien asked for understanding once these works are implemented, as some people will find it difficult to adapt when collecting students.
Cllr Angie Baily, who is chairperson of the parents council in the school, said the council can do more to help more students cycling to school, but the students’ union is already doing trojan work to try and encourage students to cycle.
The safety improvement works, including Cllr Ferris’ amendment, were carried by unanimous vote of the councillors present at the meeting.
