Three local schools to receive increased road safety focus
Three South Roscommon schools are among 141 nationwide added to the ongoing Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme
Camcloon NS, Cornafulla NS and St. Ciaran’s NS (Moore NS) were among the schools announced today by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister of State James Lawless.
This latest phase will extend the popular ‘School Zone’ improvements to more schools across the country, using recognisable design features, such as pencil shaped bollards, colourful road markings, improved footpaths and pedestrian crossings to highlight the presence of the school and encourage traffic to slow down and increase active travel among students.
For the first time, schools on Higher Speed Rural Roads will be included in the programme with 67 of the 141 schools announced today being in this category. The design approach at these schools will be different to the standard ‘School Zone’ approach with the focus being on alerting motorists to the presence of schools and encouraging lower speeds and more attentive driving.
This will be achieved through signage and road markings at the front of the school. The inclusion of schools on Higher Speed Rural Roads follows successful trials earlier this year in Galway, Roscommon and Donegal, in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local authorities, which saw significant reduction in speed in the vicinity of the trial schools.
The SRTS programme, launched in 2021 provides local authorities with targeted funding to enhance safer front of school environments and improved walking and cycling infrastructure around schools. By alleviating traffic congestion and fostering safe and sustainable travel habits, the programme aims to make active commuting more accessible for students throughout the country.
When the programme launched, 932 schools, nearly a quarter of all schools nationally applied. With Round 3 launching today, 414 schools have been actively engaged in the programme to date.
The programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce is co-ordinating the programme. Funding is available to local authorities to deliver the infrastructure through the NTA’s Active Travel Allocation from the Department of Transport.