Renewed safety concerns raised outside Whitecross National School

Concerns over road safety outside Whitecross National School in Julianstown were raised again at the April meeting of the Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District, with councillors calling for urgent action to protect pupils on what was described as an “extremely busy” regional road.

The issue has been a recurring one in recent weeks, with parents also taking to the school gates in protest earlier this year, warning that traffic dangers at the location had reached “crisis point”.

A motion tabled by Fianna Fáil Cllr Stephen McKee called on Meath County Council to prioritise and appoint a School Safety Warden outside the school, citing ongoing delays to the Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme.

Opening the discussion, Cllr McKee said it was “very clear” that additional safety measures are needed, particularly at peak times.

He noted that while a previous motion seeking a school warden had been supported by councillors, it was not approved by council officials.

Cllr McKee also pointed to examples elsewhere in the county where school wardens are in place and said they make a noticeable difference to safety and traffic flow.

However, Meath County Council reiterated in its written response that it has no plans to appoint a School Warden in Julianstown. It said its policy is to prioritise engineered solutions, such as pedestrian crossings and traffic calming measures, in conjunction with school safety education.

A council official told the meeting that such measures are considered a more robust approach and have proven successful in other locations.

It was also noted that responsibility for school safety ultimately lies with school management, with support available from the council’s Road Safety Officer to assess conditions and recommend improvements.

Cllr McKee acknowledged the role of engineering works but said they are not always delivering the required level of safety, particularly given delays to the Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme.

“There are constant delays, and that is adding to the concern locally,” he said, also raising issues around driver behaviour, including motorists breaking traffic lights near the school.

The council indicated that further information on the proposed engineering works could be requested and reviewed.