The transportation services for a new-build Lurgan-based college have been called into question with fears that children will be left with unnecessarily long journeys and connective services that could pose serious safety concerns.
MLAs are arguing that pupils commencing the new school term at St Ronan’s College in Lurgan travelling in from areas including Moira, Magheralin, Ballinderry and other outlying villages have no adequate transportation and, that which is being put in place, will leave some pupils facing over an hour of travel for a journey of just six miles.
The issues have arisen with the school having relocated to a new-build premises on St Michael’s site on the Cornakinnegar Road which is set to welcome pupils in September after four years of construction.
Aware that transportation provision provided by the Education Authority (EA) was appearing problematic, a meeting was hosted in May 2025 by MP Sorcha Eastwood’s office, Lagan Valley MLAs Michelle Guy and David Honeyford along with the Education Authority, Translink, school representatives and parents to agree suitable alternatives.
However, MLA Michelle Guy has provided an update to say there has been “no meaningful update or communication from the Education Authority” since.
As it stands, the MLA argues that “no additional EA resources have been provided to service the new campus”.
Providing an example of the difficulties faced by children, the MLA said: “Children alighting in Moira will face a one hour three minute journey to get to school, six miles away!
“Pupils are to be bused into Lurgan from the school to wait for another bus at 4pm to get home.
“This poses safety concerns with large numbers of children waiting in Market Street, Lurgan,” she argued.
The MLA is also aware that the inaccessibility of the provision could see parents opting to drive their children to school “potentially worsening congestion in an already busy area, particularly with the proximity railway crossing”.
Responding to Ms Guy, a parent said: “As a parent of a child from Derrytrasna I share all of these concerns. Our children will experience the same problems. It’s a very worrying situation.”
It is understood that Ms Guy has followed up with the parent to provide further assistance.
Calling the situation “unsuitable and unsustainable” the MLA has now written to the EA’s Chief Executive, Andrew Wilson seeking an “urgent update” and to call on the EA to “re-engage with all stakeholders and provide the necessary resources to support a safe, efficient and direct school transport service”.
A spokesperson for the Education Authority (EA) said: “The Education Authority (EA) has been engaging with Translink, the school, parents and political representatives to discuss the transport arrangements to and from the new College site in September 2025.
“All routes have been reviewed as part of ongoing work to find a solution, including adjusting existing Translink schedules.
“As these transport services are interlinked with provision to and from several other schools in the locality, significant scheduling adjustments were undertaken to best meet the competing demands on existing resources. This ensures that the vast majority of pupils are able to access a service and can make onward journeys as required. At this time the EA, in partnership with Translink, are unable to further adjust timings without negatively impacting the availability of journeys for other pupils and schools in the area.
“We will continue to keep all services under review, in the incoming academic year in conjunction with our partners in Translink, and where possible make further adjustment as necessary.”
