Parents seek return of ‘safer’ one-way system near school

Parents seek return of ‘safer’ one-way system near school

14 December 2011 - by DAVID TELFORD

PARENTS of children attending Downpatrick’s newest primary school want a permanent one-way system outside the school.

They believe a one-way system in Edward Street not only improves traffic flow, but increases the safety of children attending Our Lady and St. Patrick Primary School.

A temporary one-way system — which had been in operation in Edward Street for two months to allow work on a major resurfacing scheme to be completed — ended last Monday.

Roads officials say they monitored the area when the one-way system was in operation and now propose to consult with local residents, seeking their views on the one-way traffic system becoming permanent.

The move has been welcomed by parents whose children attend the Downpatrick school formed in September as a result of the amalgamation of St. Patrick’s Boys and the Convent of Mercy primary schools.

Ellen Rosenburg, whose son Oisin is a pupil at Our Lady and St. Patrick, said a one-way system allows parents to their children off safely in the morning and collect them again in the afternoon.

“The two-way system leads to chaos outside the school, with large vans and heavy lorries adding to the problem. A large bread lorry caused all sorts of problems last week as parents tried to get their children to school,” she explained.

“I feel the one-way system makes Edward Street a lot safer. Parking outside the school isn’t a nightmare and traffic certainly flows much more easily,” she added.

Mr. Bernard McDonagh, whose daughter Maddison attends the Edward Street school, said there was a “noticeable decrease” in congestion when the one-way system was in operation.

“The two-way system results in major congestion and tailbacks in both directions. Traffic doesn’t flow as smoothly and there is a lot of congestion at the school entrance,” he added.

Joan Gracey said many parents she has spoken to are “overwhelmingly in favour” of the one-way system becoming permanent as it results in less congestion, less hassle and makes the Edward Street area safer.

Childminder Joanne Flynn said she would also like to see the one-way system introduced permanently, explaining it allows parents to park more easily to let their children off.

Downpatrick councillor Cadogan Enright, whose son Cadog is a pupil at Our Lady and St. Patrick, said the introduction of the one-way system to allow resurfacing work in Edward Street was a major success. He said when it ended last week, “traffic chaos” returned to this part of the town.

The councillor added: “I have asked the Roads Service to reinstate the one-way system. Parents taking their children to school find traffic is forced on to the pavements in front of them in a terrifying way since the two-way flow was reintroduced.

“My wife and I witnessed frightening behaviour from frustrated motorists on Tuesday morning of last week that forced us to lift up our son to keep him out of danger. This cannot be allowed to continue.”