COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

QUESTION NO. 1

QUESTION: Councillor E. Coburn

"To ask the Manger to provide an update on the Lolipop Lady service for the Knocklyon road and to guarantee the provision of 2 Lolipop ladies on this road which is critical for the safetly of children crossing this road?"

REPLY:

A review of the school warden service on the Knocklyon Road has been completed. 

The Council monitored the number of school going children crossing Knocklyon Road at Coolamber Park which does not have a pedestrian crossing over a four week period and an increase in numbers was recorded.  The numbers warranted a school warden service and accordingly the school warden will remain at Coolamber Park.

Children crossing at Dargle Wood cross at the pedestrian lights.  The positioning of one of the light sets has been altered to improve visibility at this location.  It is considered that the current facilities at Dargle Wood are adequate and  a school warden is not necessary.

At the start of the new school year in September 2009 as part of an on going review of resources, school warden services were withdrawn from 6 crossing points, four of which have signalised pedestrian facilities.  Services were withdrawn due to such factors as declining usage, physical changes to road layout, retirements (four) and redeployment of resources. 

School wardens are generally deployed to locations were school going children cross the road without the benefit of pedestrian lights.

Non signalised crossings will continue to receive priority.