Progress in Sligo on making route to Rosses Point school safer

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Cllr Edel McSharry has welcomed confirmation that a new Active Travel project aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and school children in Rosses Point is progressing through the design stages.

The update was provided following a Notice of Motion tabled by Cllr McSharry at the Sligo–Drumcliffe Municipal District meeting seeking a detailed report on the Safe Routes to School scheme for the Rosses Point area.

In response, the Council confirmed that the proposed scheme will run from the Yeats Country Hotel along the top road and down Oyster Bay Road. The project will include the provision of a footpath, pedestrian crossing and public lighting to improve safety for pedestrians using the route.

The Council also confirmed that the scheme is currently at Phase 2 – Concept Stage under the National Transport Authority’s Active Travel project process. The Active Travel team will be seeking approval from the National Transport Authority to progress to Phase 3 in spring of this year of 2026.

Addressing the meeting on behalf of her motion Cllr McSharry said, “I am glad it is progressing, these things take a lot of time. It is lethal there in terms of walking. It's timely that we get these footpaths and adequate lighting.”

Cllr McSharry said she was pleased to see the project advancing through the formal stages required for delivery.

“I welcome confirmation from the Council that this important Active Travel project for Rosses Point is progressing and is currently at the NTA Phase 2 Concept Stage. The next step will be to seek approval from the National Transport Authority in Quarter 2 of 2026 to move the project to the next phase.”

Cllr McSharry acknowledged that while communities often want projects delivered quickly, infrastructure projects must go through a number of design and funding stages.

“Unfortunately These types of projects take a lot of time as they move through national design and approval stages. While a final delivery timeline cannot yet be provided, it is encouraging to see the project moving forward through the system.”

Cllr McSharry said the proposed works will significantly improve safety along a route used daily by residents.

“This project will make a real difference for people living in the area, particularly children travelling to school and families walking along the road. It will also greatly benefit the many people who use this route for walking and exercise.”

“Providing safe infrastructure such as footpaths, crossings and lighting helps ensure that children can travel safely to school while also encouraging healthier and more active communities. I will continue to work with the Council to ensure this project progresses through the next stages as quickly as possible.”

There was widespread agreement among Councillors that the project is taking too long with Cllr Marie Casserly pointing out, "Residents cannot understand how projects like this take so long. The slowest part seems to be the consultation.”

Cllr Thomas Healy welcomed the update expressing the desire to see the works completed in a timely manner saying, “I welcome the work that is going on. The quicker it is done the better.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Cllr Thomas Walsh who said, “These schemes are moving much too slow. Money is being swallowed up by consultants, bureaucracy and red tape.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.