Another school year is behind us, yet sadly there has still been no visible progress on the proposed pedestrian crossing for Friars Hill Road.
Earlier this year, Wicklow Municipal District confirmed that discussions were ongoing with the developer to determine the most suitable location for the crossing. Since then, there has been little communication or clarity on timelines.
As many of you know, this remains a daily safety concern for children and families in our community, especially during busy school times. With the next school year approaching, the lack of a safe crossing continues to put unnecessary risk on those walking to and from school.
We have recently followed up again with the Council seeking an update on progress, timelines, and next steps.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support this campaign. Your voices matter — and together we will keep pushing for the safe pedestrian crossing our community urgently needs.
To: Wicklow County Council
Safe Pedestrian Crossing on Friars Hill Road in Rathnew – Protect Our Children and Families!
Install a pedestrian crossing on the section of Friars Hill Road that serves as the main access point to our communities in Saunders Lane, Wilton Manor, Waverly Meadow, Waverly Drive, Kirvin Hill and Brookfield Park estates.
Why is this important?
This busy stretch of road is a daily hazard for families, children, and elderly residents. Every morning and afternoon, dozens of schoolchildren and parents with strollers must cross here to reach nearby schools and crèches, with no safe, marked crossing in place. Vehicles speed through without clear signals to stop, putting lives at risk. We've already raised this issue in a formal letter earlier this year, but action is overdue – incidents are waiting to happen, and we can't afford to wait any longer.
A simple pedestrian crossing would:
- Enhance road safety for vulnerable pedestrians, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging walking and cycling in our community.
- Support environmental goals by making sustainable travel options more accessible and appealing.
Wicklow County Council has a responsibility to prioritize community safety and infrastructure improvements. We urge you to act now: conduct a site assessment, allocate the necessary resources, and install this crossing without delay. We're ready to participate in any consultations, surveys, or meetings to make this happen.