Galway City Councillor, Mary Leahy, has welcomed the provision of new school wardens for the city, after highlighting the severe threat posed to school children who have been forced to cross without supervision on treacherous roads.

The number of school wardens in the area is to be increased, after continued lobbying by Cllr Leahy on behalf of concerned parents and children.

"A second warden will be on duty on the Dublin Road, assisting children crossing this notorious road to Renmore School," said Cllr Leahy. "This is very welcome news. This stretch of road is notorious, as children have to navigate up to four lanes of traffic, including bus lanes, at an already busy junction. The safety of the one existing school warden also comes into question.

"The second school warden will be on duty at the crossing to help the existing school warden until new crossing signals are in place later this year," Cllr Leahy continued. A new school warden is also to be appointed at the Gaelscoil in Knocknacarra and prospective Gardai have been cleared through the National Garda Clearance scheme. Training for the new posts is currently taking place and the appointments will be finalised once this is completed.

In addition, Cllr Leahy has requested that Galway City Council carry out a full and comprehensive survey of the existing school warden service in order that all schools will be adequately provided for and that children will not be left to navigate our busy roads alone.

The survey, which is already underway, is expected to be completed very soon. "The results of this survey will inform Galway City Council in relation to adequate staff cover for all school and will ensure that staff are replaced while on leave, something that was not happening in the past," said the Councillor.

"Meanwhile, new pedestrian lights will be set up in Castlegar by the end of June to ensure the safety of school children crossing in the locality," concluded Cllr Leahy.

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