Safetyramps installed

The installation of road safety ramps along the Marlbog Road on either side of Saint Fursey’s School has been warmly welcomed.

Safety measures for some time have been sought in the main to protect pupils and to alleviate the dangers of speeding traffic along the route that is very busy and used by motorists using the Dublin/Belfast motorway.

The calls were led by parents and management at the school, which was alone among the parish schools that did not have some safety measures on the road running past it, and one of the few not to have ramps.

Principal Orla Vallely of Saint Fursey’s gave a big thumbs up to the ramps and already observed they were working, while their installation had been achieved without ‘too much disruption,’ she praised.

‘We are absolutely thrilled,’ she said. ‘It really slows them (vehicles) down round the school, which is absolutely brilliant.’

She also complimented the Gardai for their efforts in trying to curb the danger presented by speeding traffic. ‘The Gardai were very good. They did try and do spot checks. But once the Gardai weren’t here it was back to normal.’

She said she saw how effective the ramps were. ‘They (drivers) have to slow down. I saw it in action this morning. It’s very effective.’

She told that the school which had lobbied Louth County Council to do something about the problem of speeding and the dangers presented to pupils, just wanted ‘some kind of safety measure.’

They had looked for a Zebra crossing for pupils to cross the road safely outside the school. But she reckons ‘the ramps probably are the best solution. Basically they slow down the traffic.’