Clare councillors have highlighted that numerous flashing orange lights on approach roads to schools are faulty and not working.
A review of all “warning flashing orange lights” approaching roads around schools in Co Clare has been requested by Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF). “Some are faulty and not working and are troublesome in the interest of safety for our kids,” he stated.
Services of a contractor have been procured by the roads and transportation section of Clare County Council, senior engineer John Leahy confirmed. Part of this contract includes the maintenance of school flashing lights throughout the county.
“As part of their contract this contractor is responsible for checking timings with each school and re-programming the lights if required, replacing damaged bulbs with new LED’s, fuses, flashing units and batteries, cleaning and aligning signs and solar panels, repairing power outages,” Leahy outlined.
This approach was praised in response by Cllr O’Callaghan. “Safety around our schools is paramount, we’re encouraging more young lads to walk and cycle, it is a piece of infrastructure around schools that need to be maintained to the highest level”.
Following speed limit changes, “a lot of the flashing light changes are now incorrect,” Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) flagged as he seconded the motion. “We have a particular problem in Clonlara school which has been brought to the attention of Clare County Council, our flashing lights haven’t been working for some time,” Cllr Michael Begley (IND) stated. He said, “the attention to them was neglected because we had a very successful school patrol”.
Speed is reduced through the presence of functioning lights, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) remarked. “The lights are a huge support and comfort to those working in the schools, they do reduce the speed of the oncoming traffic. I ask that the reply be posted to the schools with the contact for Clare County Council included,” the former primary school principal added.
