Council rules out school warden for Julianstown National School despite proposal
No plans to introduce a school warden outside a national school in Julianstown have been confirmed, despite calls for additional measures to improve children’s safety on a busy approach road.
At the April meeting of the Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District, Fianna Fáil councillor Stephen McKee urged the local authority to appoint a school safety warden outside Whitecross National School, "given the school’s location on an extremely busy regional road and the delays in work starting on the Julianstown Traffic Calming Scheme."
“It’s very clear to everyone that we badly need safety measures in Julianstown,” he said.
In a written response, Meath County Council said there are no plans to introduce a school warden at the location.
It stated that under current policy, where pedestrian safety measures are required, priority is given to engineering solutions alongside participation in the School Safety Education Programme, rather than the provision of wardens.
“There is a significant amount of built infrastructure at Whitecross NS, Julianstown to ensure children’s safety,” the council said.
“Meath County Council’s direction over the past number of years has been to provide the highest level of safety at school crossings by providing engineered pedestrian crossings and to move away from the provision of school wardens,” it said.
At the meeting, Cllr McKee said the use of school wardens at other schools was “effective” and referenced the presence of “lollipop ladies and men” elsewhere.
He added that he was “disappointed” that there were no plans to provide a warden outside Whitecross NS.