'Chaotic' road safety issues at Kildare primary school raised
Cathaoirleach David Trost (FF) was describing the situation at Primrose Hill National School, Celbridge, Co Kildare
Kildare County Council's Safety Officer is set to meet with representatives of Primrose Hill National School in Celbridge, Co Kildare over “chaotic” road safety issues outside the local primary school.
The move follows a motion raised by Cllr Rupert Heather (LAB) at a meeting of Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District, held on Friday, September 18 2026.
Cllr Heather motioned: “That the council implements comprehensive road-safety improvements on the R405 at Primrose Hill National School, Celbridge aimed at creating a safer environment for children walking, cycling and travelling to school.”
Cllr Heather told the meeting that he raised the issue over a year ago, when there were a “whole range” of requests asked for Primrose Hill National School in Celbridge.
These included, he said, parking, traffic calming, bus drop-offs, how lay-bys could be improved.
Cllr Heather said he drove by Primrose Hill National School recently and found cars “double-parked”, such was the lack of parking in the area.
The Labour councillor pointed to “clear adjustments and tweaks” which could be made to improve the overall situation at the school, and which would allow for safer environment in the school area.
Cllr Heather said he was “slightly surprised” at the council's response to his motion, as he had previously received a different response from a council official who no longer works for the council.
This official had mentioned a feasibility study for Primrose Hill National School, Cllr Heather pointed out, which was in stark contrast to the council's current stance on the issue.
He said the infrastructure around the school is “particularly old”, and may be “unsuitable” to a primary school with lots of students and parents picking them up and dropping them off to school.
“Could we get a commitment for that feasibility study, because in my belief it was already given?”, Cllr Heather asked the council.
Pointing to “staff shortages” within the relevant department, a council official pointed out that the Safe Routes to School scheme opens up funding which would allow necessary works to be carried out.
However, he noted, he was not aware if the school had applied to the Safe Routes to School scheme “as of yet.”
The official stated that short-term measures could be looked at in relation to the R405, but reiterated there are “staff constraints” within the council department which may hinder works.
Responding, Cllr Heather noted that Safe Routes to School status was like “hens' teeth” in the county, in that only a select few schools were awarded the scheme.
It was finally agreed that the council's Safety Officer will meet with Primrose Hill National School, Celbridge to determine what the issues are in relation to road safety.
Cathaoirleach David Trost (FF) agreed with Cllr Heather that it is a “chaotic” situation outside Primrose Hill National School, and that seeking road safety improvements was “certainly something worth pursuing.”