‘They can get aggressive at times’ — Parents blocking both sides of the road during collection times at Wexford school

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

An Garda Siochána may be required to resolve ongoing traffic issues outside the CBS Enniscorthy at collection times in the afternoon.

With cars parking on both sides of the Mill Park Road, some local businesses are unable to access their premises or accept deliveries when the students finish for the day.

Raising the issue at the September meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD), Councillor Trish Byrne said measures needed to be taken to prevent the street being blocked up for lengthy periods every day.

“It’s causing issues for businesses in the area, they’re not able to get through that road at pickup times,” she said. “Could we put in bollards there, or get the guards to sit there for the hour? They’re blocking both sides of the road and they’re up on the footpaths.”

Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy was also aware of this problem and had previously asked the traffic wardens to intervene.

“I asked the wardens if they could check cars during school collection times and was told they don’t go there at that time,” she said.

After Cllr Byrne noted that many of those parked on the side of the road remained sitting in their cars waiting for their children, Cllr Murphy said traffic wardens could still issue fines if someone was in the car.

“If their engine is turned off they’re considered to be parked,” she said.

While district engineer Neil Dempsey said he would discuss the issue with the guards, he said many wardens were reluctant to get involved with motorists collecting schoolchildren.

“It’s very hard for our wardens if people are sitting in the car, we have the same issue outside Dunnes Stores; they’ll move on a small bit and they can get aggressive at times,” he said.

“But I can see if our Active Travel team has any available funding for bollards there.”