ROAD safety concerns have been raised outside Coolmeen National School, with councillors calling for a safety review amid complaints of speeding motorists approaching the village.
The issue was raised by Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Michael Shannon (FF), who tabled a motion calling for a safety review of traffic at the junction of Hilltop Bar on the L2066 and the area surrounding Coolmeen National School, with particular attention to vehicle speeds on the bends approaching the school.
Cllr Shannon asked if the stretch of road could be included in the 2026 roads programme, saying the area “needs resurfacing”. He also called for a smaller programme of works to make the junction and the area outside the school safer, noting that the school is located on a bend.
He added: “As you go down to the Coolmeen church there is also a dangerous junction coming out there.”
Cllr Shannon highlighted that traffic approaching the village from the Kildysart side “come pretty fast”, as the road on that approach is “quite good”.
The motion was seconded by Cllr Dinny Gould (IND), who said he had received “a lot” of phone calls about speeding on the stretch of road, branding it “lethal”.
“Something has to be done to slow them down,” he said.
In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Alan Kennelly said two road resurfacing projects had been completed in Coolmeen in recent years, adding that the improved road surface “may” have contributed to an increase in average vehicle speeds through the village.
Mr Kennelly noted that the enforcement of speed limits is a matter for An Garda Síochána and falls outside the remit of Clare County Council. He added that warning signs are already in place on both approaches to Coolmeen National School.
He said a Safe Routes to School scheme or a Low Cost Safety Scheme could help address road safety concerns and improve conditions for pedestrians and school users.
While the Municipal District intends to include Coolmeen National School in its application for Department of Transport funding this year, he stressed there is “no guarantee” the application will be successful.
Mr Kennelly added that the Municipal District would continue to engage with the elected member and explore future funding opportunities to deliver appropriate road safety improvements in the area.
