We are calling on Meath County Council to replace the School Traffic Warden at the R148 / Johnstown Road junction in Enfield.

For over 50 years, a dedicated School Traffic Warden has ensured the safe crossing of children attending St. Mary’s National School. With the upcoming retirement of our current School Traffic Warden Mrs. Susan Coyle (“Sue”), the Council has indicated that this vital role will not be replaced.

We believe this decision puts children at serious and unacceptable risk.

Why this matters

• This junction is one of the busiest and most dangerous crossing points in Enfield.
• Drivers frequently break red lights and approach at speed.
• Numerous near misses have only been avoided due to the presence of the School Traffic Warden.
• The crossing is wide and difficult, especially for young primary school children.
• Traffic volumes continue to rise due to Enfield’s growth as a commuter town.

Existing measures such as traffic lights, a raised table, and railings are not enough to ensure children’s safety.

Impact on children and the community

St. Mary’s National School actively promotes walking and cycling to school and has achieved a Green Flag for Active Travel. Removing the School Traffic Warden directly undermines this effort.

Without proper supervision:

• Parents may feel forced to drive their children, increasing congestion.
• Risks to children will increase significantly.
• Confidence in safe school travel will decline.

Our request

We call on Meath County Council to:

• Retain the School Traffic Warden position at this junction
• Provide immediate replacement or cover at this junction following Mrs. Coyle’s retirement
• Commit to ongoing staffing, including relief wardens where needed

Community support

This petition reflects the concerns of:

• Parents and families
• School staff and leadership
• Local residents
• Local businesses
• Elected Councillors

Over 500 people have already expressed their support for replacing this essential safety service by signing the hard copy petition.

 
Please sign this petition to protect our children

The safety of children must come first. A supervised crossing is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

By signing, you are calling on Meath County Council to act responsibly and ensure that this vital safety measure remains in place.