Concerns raised over traffic speeds near Watergrasshill National School

More than 3,000 vehicles pass the school daily as councillors seek stronger traffic-calming measures

A traffic survey carried out in 2023 showed that more than 3,000 vehicles pass the school each day. Three years later, that figure is likely to have increased significantly. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Schoolchildren studying just metres from a Cork motorway exit are being put at risk because the slip road leading almost to their front door has an 80km/h speed limit, a local councillor has claimed.

Concerns have been raised about the safety of children attending the national school in Watergrasshill, particularly as a large volume of HGVs and cars pass the school daily to avoid paying the nearby toll on the M8 Cork-Dublin motorway.

A traffic survey carried out in 2023 showed that more than 3,000 vehicles pass the school each day.

Watergrasshill-based Fianna Fáil councillor Sheila O’Callaghan raised the issue at a meeting of Cobh Municipal District Council.

“Vehicles using the Cork Road roundabout should be alerted that their speed should be reduced to 50km/h. No other speed signage is currently visible (apart from 80km). A driver feedback sign is located opposite the entrance to the Watergrasshill School, this display unit is not operating as it is buried in the overgrown trees and shrubbery. A driver feedback sign was (also) removed to facilitate the installation of a new section of footpath,” Ms O’Callaghan said.

She said the speed of vehicles coming off the motorway slip roads adjacent to the national school is “awful” and that the local garda is working to help protect pupils.

Cork County Council, in conjunction with the National Roads Authority, carried out works on the western side of the school, the side closest to the motorway. A pedestrian crossing with traffic lights was installed.

“This pedestrian crossing is not a raised ramp and does not slow the traffic other than when it turns red,” Ms O’Callaghan said.

Municipal district council chairman, Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen, described the speed of vehicles in the area as “mad”.

In a statement council engineers said: ‘Cork County Council will continue to monitor traffic speeds in the vicinity of Watergrasshill National School. Should the recorded speeds indicate non-compliance with speed limits, the council will consider the reinstallation of a driver feedback sign or other appropriate measures to enhance driver awareness, particularly in relation to school traffic and pedestrian safety."

They said they would report back to councillors with the findings of the speed surveys.

“I welcome the response that the council will continue to monitor traffic speeds in the vicinity of the national school and if necessary, take appropriate measures to enhance driver awareness’” Ms O’Callaghan said.