Hopes school gate will ease traffic issue

The gate will allow children access from the Monree Hill area thanks to what is understood to be a major investment in new footpaths allowing the existing gate to be opened up.

The move follows a determined lobby by local DUP politicians, Councillor Mark Baxter and MLA Stephen Moutray.

Mr Baxter said: “I was approached early in 2014 by a few residents in Monree Hill about the existence of a footpath leading to the school’s all weather pitch but with no access gate.

“It is well documented that traffic at the school is horrendous at school times and dangerous on occasion so I saw this as a possible partial remedy as pupils from that area could now simply walk safely to school which would take some cars away from the school’s Baird Avenue site.”

He went on; “A significant amount of work was done through Stephen Moutray’s office in terms of arranging meetings with all the statutory agencies involved to try and deliver on this project, the many issues were resolved and gate opened at the beginning of term.

“As an elected representative and a member of the Board of Governors I’m absolutely delighted that we could deliver this for the parents and pupils.”

Mr Moutray added: “This is a good news story for the parents in Donacloney and I’m confident that this will go some way to tackling the traffic problems at the school,

“It just proves what can be achieved with a bit of perseverance, I also place on record my thanks to the parents who provided a strong lobby and both Transport NI and SELB for working with us on this.”

A new tarmac footpath has been created with steps to allow access to the school from the new gate.