MAYNOOTH, 16 August: by Bill Trapman. During discussions on the Draft Maynooth Development Plan, Cll. John McGinley has put forward the suggestion that consideration be given to changing the location of St Mary’s Girls School to a new site South of the canal.
"The existing location is too far removed from the main population centres and this results in serious traffic congestion at school opening and closing times," he says. "If a new school was built off the Straffan Road or Newtown Road it would help reduce the traffic problems and improve safety for children."
Cllr McGinley said that 'going a step further' and making the new school a co-ed and changing the Boys School also to a co-ed would make an enormous difference to traffic levels at peak times.
The Council has written to the principals and Board of Management of both schools seeking their views.
"A decision should not be rushed and time should be taken to give this radical suggestion serious consideration," Cllr McGinley said.
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