Opposition voiced again to plan for two schools on one Westport site

OPPOSITION has again been voiced to plans by the Department of Education to locate two schools on the old Scoil Phadraig site in Westport.

At an area meeting today, Councillor Christy Hyland said he understood the department has sent down a plan to Mayo County Council to house Holy Trinity and Westport Educate Together national schools on the Altamount Street site.

Holy Trinity secured the site for a new home, but with the department attempting to place the second school there also, there has been protestations that the site is too small for both and the move is inappropriate.

Councillor Hyland said when Scoil Padraig was on the street there was 'mayhem' with traffic and now the department sent down a plan putting two schools there.

He couldn't see it working. They needed an exercise area and also off-street parking.

“There is no way you can put the two schools on the one site,” he said, a sentiment that Councillor John O'Malley agreed with. “It can't happen,” he said. Holy Trinity need the full site.

Councillor Peter Flynn concurred with the views and hoped they would get a positive response.