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The days of
Inishowen schoolchildren freezing in harsh weather
while waiting for a bus could soon be over.
Donegal County Council is to investigate the roll
out of sponsored bus shelters with their
counterparts in the North.
Sinn Féin’s Donegal North East representative, Cllr.
Padraig MacLochlainn, has welcomed the move.
He said: “Sinn Féin had a motion on this issue
passed by the Council late last year and we have
vigorously pursued measures to increase the number
of bus shelters for school children over recent
years.
“Our motion called on the local authority to lead up
an initiative in partnership with school boards of
management and parents committees across the county
to identify appropriate locations for bus shelters
which are sponsored with advertisements from local
businesses."
Cllr. MacLochlainn said young children should not
have to suffer discomfort on their way to school in
winter.
“It is unacceptable that schoolchildren are
continually subjected to harsh weather conditions
while they wait outdoors for a bus.
“However, for many years the prospects of increasing
the number of bus shelters have been hampered by
bureaucratic wrangling over which authority was
responsible for them - whether the county council,
the bus companies, the schools or whoever.
“Thankfully, the Council has now taken an important
lead on this issue, which I’m sure every elected
representative could confirm has been raised
constantly by parents throughout the county.”
The Buncrana-based town and county councillor said
the approach had worked well in the North for many
years.
“The pursuit of sponsored bus shelters has the
potential to be a sensible community solution to a
serious long-term problem.
“I’m pleased Donegal County Council is now
implementing Sinn Fein’s request on this issue, and
hope that the lessons learned from our counterparts
in the Six Counties can soon lead to a significant
increase in bus shelters.”
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