A tender is expected to be released in the New Year to source a contractor to begin works on an extension to a Banbridge Primary School to help alleviate “serious congestion concerns” surrounding an extension to the existing building.
St Mary’s Primary School, based in the Reilly Park area, sought planning approval from ABC Council for a two-storey extension to their existing school building back in 2022.
However, a subsequent application for an additional 37 car parking spaces was lodged later, in 2025.
The parking extension was submitted as a subsequent application after congestion concerns were raised by parents of the school and residents living in the area surrounding the school premises.
A petition of objection submitted by a resident against the extension was received in November 2022, with a total of 22 signatures. The primary concerns cited in the petition were all in regards to traffic on Reilly Street, speeding, parking and general congestion. Two additional objections were also received in relation to traffic.
However, the previous proposals for the extension did not provide for any additional car parking. The 65 existing spaces would have provided 51 spaces for staff and 14 for parent drop-off and pick-up.
According to a Traffic Management Plan accompanying the new parking application – which will more than double the school’s parents’ parking capacity – says the school has been “proactive” in attempting to address concerns regarding congestion.
As such, the new drop-off and pick-up bays will be under “strict control by school staff”.
It adds: “The spaces will only be made available during designated times. Parents/carers must not park in the spaces. Staff will ask any vehicles dwelling in the spaces after drop-off to exit the school car park.”
It also operates a flexible start time for all year groups from 8.45am to 9am to alleviate congestion in Reilly Park, with a “one-way system with drop-off bays” for parents to quickly park and let their children out before driving off.
Staff and visitors will also be prohibited from parking in the bays and will be relocated to the main car park.
Further to this, Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party, Eoin Tennyson asked the Minister of Education, Paul Givan for an update on the progress of this extension following the granting of all planning approvals.
Minister Givan, in his reply, explained: “Following the successful receipt of planning approval, the Integrated Consultancy Team has been instructed to provide updated costs, including the implementation of appropriate traffic management measures, for consideration prior to proceeding with the preparation and issue of tender documentation for the construction works.”
Providing an insight into timescale on the development, Givan added: “Subject to approval, it is anticipated that the tender for the construction works will be issued in the New Year.”
