With traffic chaos continuing at the school gates at drop-off and collection times, a plan is currently being finalised to tackle the gridlock that causes so much frustration and inconvenience to other motorists five days a week.
Drivers have persistently complained that they struggle to get past vehicles that are double and triple parked, particularly in the afternoons, as parents wait to collect students from the classrooms.
The problem is very challenging on New Road where there are two secondary schools and two primary schools located and a number of buses queue each day to drop off and collect students.
The situation is even more dire at lower New Street with the grounds of St Mary’s Cathedral the main road outside regularly blocked by lines of cars parked up illegally.
Raising the matter once again, Cllr Brendan Cronin asked Kerry County Council officials what progress has been made on formulating a traffic management plan for New Road at school times following previous notices of motions and meetings with the school principals?
“This is highly important as there are huge issues on New Road with people driving down the wrong way and cars being parked up on footpaths,” Cllr Cronin said.
Cllr Niall Kelleher said the situation could actually get much worse as two of the schools – St Brigid’s Presentation and St Brendan’s College – have both applied for planning permission for what will effectively be new builds or rebuilds.
Cllr Donal Grady said the current situation is a disgrace with bollards preventing people from driving down New Road at times that do not correspond with the time the schools are out.
“It’s causing chaos. It’s a problem for the council and the gardai to sort out but nobody is doing a thing about it,” he said.
Killarney Municipal District Engineer, John Ahern, said the issue is not helped when schools change their times but he would see what alterations can be made, including the provision of bus and car set-down areas, the timing of limited access to the road and pedestrian crossings.
Council officials said consultations have taken place between council officials, An Garda Siochána, Bus Éireann and the principals of the schools to prepare a plan to assist with traffic flow.
The plan is now being finalised and it is expected to be presented to councillors for consideration before the end of this month.
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