Major €4m Safe Routes to School scheme in Banagher set to progress
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Offaly County Council has unveiled plans for a major Safe Routes to School scheme in Banagher, a project aimed at improving safety and accessibility for students attending St Rynagh’s National School and Banagher College.
Developed in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce, the initiative seeks to tackle long-standing concerns in the area, including overly wide roads, limited pedestrian infrastructure, and insufficient public lighting, factors that have discouraged walking and cycling among students.
Central to the proposal is the creation of a designated School Zone featuring traffic-calming measures such as colourful road markings and bollards. These are designed to reduce vehicle speeds, prevent illegal parking, and create safer drop-off conditions for pupils.
The scheme also outlines a series of upgrade works along key routes in the town, including Main Street, Birr Road (R439-1), Cuba Avenue (L-70162-1 and L-70162-2), and St Rynagh’s Road (L-7016-1).
The scheme will incorporate a range of safety and public realm improvements, including the creation of a dedicated School Zone with gateway signage, school flags, distinctive road markings and buff-coloured anti-skid surfacing to alert drivers that they are entering a pedestrian-priority area. Additional measures include coloured roundel markings and pencil-shaped bollards to protect vulnerable road users, as well as a designated bus set-down area on Main Street adjacent to the national school.
Works will also involve widening existing footpaths and installing new ones along Main Street, Cuba Avenue and Saint Rynagh’s Road, alongside a shared active travel facility on Cuba Avenue and the provision of on-street parking on Main Street and Cuba Avenue. Eleven raised pedestrian crossings will be introduced at key desire lines, while seventeen junctions will be remodelled to prioritise pedestrians.
The project also includes sustainable drainage measures, public seating, upgraded signage and road markings, and enhanced public lighting throughout. Utility networks will be relocated where necessary to facilitate these works.
Local representatives and community stakeholders have broadly welcomed the project. Councillor Audrey Kennedy described it as “a very important and very welcome development,” noting that improved pedestrian access and wider footpaths, combined with traffic-calming measures, would create a safer, lower-speed environment for children travelling to and from school.
Cllr Hughie Egan highlighted the scale of the investment, estimated at €4 million, calling it “a great boost for Banagher” that would significantly enhance safety for schoolchildren.
Public response to the proposal has also been largely positive. Of the 15 submissions received during the consultation process, 10 expressed support. Cllr Sean Maher said the feedback reflected strong community backing, adding that the project marks “an exciting time for Banagher,” with potential to strengthen its role as a tourism hub and attract further investment.
Cllr Aoife Masterson noted that the improvements are something schools in the area have “been looking forward to for a long time,” adding that the project aligns with broader ambitions for the town’s future.
Cllr Noel Cribbin welcomed the investment as a sign of progress, saying it is “great to see Banagher on the move”.
Cathaoirleach Cllr John Leahy said the work will be completed in phases.
"Banagher is to the forefront," he added. "We've invested in the playground, the men's shed, the outdoor swimming pool, the marina, we're looking at dereliction, and now the footpaths. It's a great project, and I'm looking forward to seeing it through."