25 signatures reached
To: Minister for Education Helen McEntee, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, the RSA, An Taisce, Galway East TDs Albert Dolan, Louis O'Hara, Peter Roche and Sean Canney and Galway County Councillors in Tuam Municipal District
Tuam Students Demand Safer Road Conditions and Access to Sports Facilities
As concerned parents and students of Tuam Educate Together National School, we are writing to bring attention to several road safety concerns that affect our daily commute to school and our children’s safety while at school.
We respectfully request that consideration be given to the following proposals to improve road safety for students in Tuam:
Grant access to the adjacent Sports Pitches and Sports Hall for students from Tuam Educate Together National School.
Install speed bumps on Dublin Road, Athenry Road, and Frank Stockwell Road to reduce traffic speeds and promote a safer walking environment for students. This will ensure that students can walk safely to and from school, regardless of the road conditions.
Install illuminated speed signs on these roads with clear signage indicating the recommended speed limit in the town (30 km/hr) to educate drivers about the need for reduced speeds and promote a culture of safety.
Employ a School Warden to provide support for students crossing Dublin Road near the Old Courthouse, ensuring their safe passage during morning, afternoon, and daytime hours.
Make provision for parking along these three routes to ensure safe drop off and collections for students and their families every morning and evening, in particular adequate spaces for people with disabilities to park.
We appeal to the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, An Taisce, the RSA and the Department of Transport to prioritise Tuam Schools in their Safer Routes to School programme to ensure that students in Tuam can access their schools safely.
We ask that Galway County Council expedite their Tuam Active Travel Scheme so that construction begins this year on the Dublin Road to ensure students will be able to travel safely to and from school.
We believe that these measures will significantly improve road safety for students in Tuam and contribute to creating a more harmonious and pedestrian-friendly community and enable safe and convenient transportation of students before and after school.
We would be grateful if you could consider our proposals and take steps to address these concerns.
Why is this important?
The Need for Safer Roads and Access to Sports Facilities for TETNS Students.
As a community, we value the well-being, safety, and education of our children. The lack of access to safe sports facilities and the perilous routes students take to reach them is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention.
Every day, over 2,200 students and families use Dublin Road, Athenry Road, and Frank Stockwell Road to get to and from school. This poses a significant risk to their safety, as these roads are congested with all manner of vehicles, including cars, buses, tractors, and lorries.
The situation is particularly alarming for our children in Tuam Educate Together NS, who must walk over 3km to and from Tuam Stars GAA Club to access sports pitches. This not only puts them at risk of injury or worse but also limits their opportunities for physical activity, socialization, and team-building through sport.
Moreover, students from Junior Infants upwards are forced to cross the busy Dublin Road every week to reach the Tusla Hall for PE classes and assemblies. This is a hazardous journey that requires constant vigilance and can be a major deterrent to our children's participation in physical education and extracurricular activities.
By signing this petition, we are calling on the Minister for Education Helen McEntee and the Department of Education to provide safe access to adjacent sports facilities and pitches for TETNS students. This is not just a matter of convenience or comfort; it's a critical aspect of our children's overall well-being, education, and development.
We believe that all children have the right to:
• Safe and convenient access to sports facilities and pitches
• Adequate physical education and extracurricular activities to promote their health, wellbeing, and social skills
• A safe and healthy environment in which to grow and develop
By supporting this petition, we are advocating for a fundamental change that will benefit not just our children but the entire Tuam community. We urge you to join us in demanding safer roads, better sports facilities, and a healthier future for all of us.