Hundreds of people have attended a series of protests in Conemara, as communities joined forces to call for road improvements on the R336.
The main route westwards from Galway city runs through several villages and passes a number of schools.
Locals living in the impacted areas say urgent measures are needed to better protect the safety of all road users, and particularly pedestrians.
They are calling for a number of dedicated crossings close to schools in Bearna, Na Forbacha, Indreabhán and An Spidéal.
In addition, the campaigners want better signage, footpath improvements and speed reduction measures.
Children and their parents gathered with teachers before school this morning, to stage combined protests in each of the four villages.
In Bearna, the protest was led by parents dressed in inflatable zebra costumes, highlighting one of the campaign demands.
The parents formed a makeshift crossing to allow pedestrians cross the road, before gathering in the school playground for the conclusion of the march.
The Principal of Scoil Shéamais Naofa, Bearna's National School, said improvements were vitally important to safeguard the hundreds of pupils, staff and parents who have to enter and leave the premises directly from the roadside.
Máire Báicéir said that despite repeated commitments, there had been little in the way of progress when it came to any tangible changes.
She said the size of the gatherings across the coastal communities involved showed the extent of the frustration being felt and the clear demand for action.
A number of children present spoke of the need to be ever vigilant, when coming and going from their classes. Their concerns have increased in recent weeks, with the opening of a new shop across the road from their school. Many expressed their desire to have safer access to the store.
In An Spidéal, parent Áine McNamara, said people were tired of having to wait so long for what they view as essential improvements.
"Since 2021, we are trying to get something in place to protect the kids going to school and it’s just not happened.
"We’re saying enough is enough now, we’re all united and until we see action on the ground we’re going to see more [protests].
"We’re not going to be standing round in a guard of honour, if we can prevent that now", she added.
At the protest in Na Forbacha, Joyce Muhschlegel, said villagers needed safe ways to cross the road. She said officials had acknowledged the need for works to be carried out but that the community was not prepared to wait any longer.
The groups say they will stage protests on a regular basis until they receive assurances from Galway County Council about enhancement measures.
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Approved for funding
The Department of Transport said two of the four schools along the R336 have been approved for funding through the Safe Routes to School programme.
This aims to support active travel and ease congestion around schools.
A Department spokesperson said the schools in Indreabhán and Na Forbacha were approved for funding in 2022.
It is anticipated design consultants will be appointed next week to carry out preliminary works at both locations. The Department said there is scope for a pedestrian crossing in both instances.
The school in Bearna has not been approved for funding at this time, while the Department said the school in An Spidéal did not apply to be included in the scheme.
The spokesperson also pointed out that funding for routes around schools was not confined to the programme in question and that other grants were available to local authorities for traffic calming and other safety improvements.
In a statement this evening, Galway County Council said it would advise the National Transport Authority of the concerns raised by those who protested this morning.
The local authority says the NTA administers funding for school-related road safety measures.
