Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Andrew Reddington has welcomed the completion of an Active Travel project in Headford saying the works will strengthen the case for planning permission for a new secondary school in the town.
The project, completed last week, followed extensive consultation with local residents, schools, Headford Church and sporting organisations. A plan was subsequently put out to public consultation, attracting hundreds of submissions.
Cllr Reddington said he had raised concerns about elements of the original proposal at an NTA workshop in November 2024, including a proposed “greening embankment” on both sides of the road.
He said he believed the embankment would have reduced available carriageway space and could ultimately have become a “mud bath”.
He credited Tom Coleman with working with the National Transport Authority to have that element removed and ensure the scheme was delivered appropriately.
The project was funded following the restoration of an NTA allocation of €140,000. Cllr Reddington said he had raised the issue at the November 2024 workshop after the original allocation had been withdrawn. On December 2, 2024, the funding was reallocated to Galway.
He said the money was best spent locally, particularly given the number of pupils attending Presentation College Headford.
“ The real truth is this,” said Cllr Reddington. “We have two large schools here, and this project has been completed with almost 900 children walking outside it every morning and evening. We need to keep children safe — safety comes before traffic and waiting times.”
He also welcomed a new build-out at the church car park, creating dedicated public spaces, and a new pedestrian crossing linking the school with the church car park.
At the junction serving Presentation College Headford, two new sets of traffic lights have also been installed. Cllr Reddington said the additional lights were specifically requested by parents collecting children late from study.
He also praised John Moran Civils of Tuam for its work on the scheme and for liaising with the Tuam office.
Cllr Reddington said the completion of the Active Travel works removed a potential obstacle to the development of a new secondary school.
“In terms of the planning permission of a new secondary school on the roadside, we have done our bit. It’s now down to the Department to deliver the school,” he said.
“Planning can’t turn around now and criticise the school for the roads section, as a lot of money has been allocated to make it safer for children.”
Cllr Reddington has also asked Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton to expedite the proposed secondary school as a matter of urgency and to establish why there has been no engagement between Department officials and the planning section regarding the project.
He said Minister Naughton was aware of the situation and had indicated that she was engaging with Department officials.
Headford also serves as a catchment area for parts of west Galway and south Mayo, he said, making collaboration essential.
“We have heard enough announcements about the school over the years, but no block has been laid, and people are just getting sick of announcements,” Cllr Reddington said.
“It isn’t fair on the teachers, the board of management or the school management, but most of all the kids.”
Having left Presentation College Headford 25 years ago, Cllr Reddington said the level of investment in the school since then was “sickening”.
He warned that unless progress is made soon, the community could face another decade without a new school.
“Now is the time to act,” he said.
