‘Slip-off’ needed at St Tola’s for safety sake: McDermott

Progress towards resolution of the safety concerns at St Tola’s NS at Hiskinstown, Delvin, isn’t coming fast enough, members of the Mullingar Municipal District have stressed, as the subject got a further airing at the most recent meeting.

“I am very worried about what may happen here very shortly,” Cllr Frank McDermott told the meeting, as he requested formally that the district ask TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) to make the junction off the N52 to St Tola’s safe.

Describing his motion as “a hardy annual”, he said both he and Cllr Emily Wallace have raised concerns over it.

“The parish priest has been rapping at my door regularly for the past few weeks – and he is, as I am, very very worried about what’s happening,” Cllr McDermott said.

Continuing, he added that there was a simple resolution available: “A slip-off needs to be created, to come off the road, so that the traffic going to Mullingar can continue uninterrupted on their way,” he said.

The written response provided to the Fine Gael councillor stated that the district is currently in contact with the school architects and has advised them on a suitable traffic management plan.

“Westmeath County Council will also contact the NRO to examine the solution,” the reply concluded.