Beacons at Lismacaffrey NS out of order ‘for two years’

The amber flashing beacon lights outside a Westmeath school have been out of order for two years, Cllr Emily Wallace revealed at the November meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, as she raised urgent concerns over traffic safety at St Fintan’s National School in Lismacaffrey.

Cllr Wallace highlighted that speeding vehicles along the R395 pose a serious risk to pupils, particularly as parents frequently pull up in ways that block visibility. “The traffic is flying here. Drivers don’t even know there’s a school because the amber beacons aren’t working,” she said, adding that that was despite repeated requests for repairs.

She called for the council to install pencil bollards to improve safety and said a Safer Routes to School programme may also be required due to the high speed of traffic at the location. She cited a near-miss incident in September when children ran across the road.

District Engineer Pat Kavanagh confirmed that funding from the National Transport Authority has recently been secured and a tender for the bollards has been issued. Works are to commence once funds are available.

Cllr Wallace also requested that the council consult directly with the school regarding the placement of the bollards, noting that local knowledge of the site would help ensure the safety measures are effective.