School commuting back to its routes
An initiative promoting safety for children travelling to school by foot, bicycle and scooter has been launched in Cork county.
Cork county’s first Safe Routes to School (SRTS) instalment, launched at Scoil Phádraig Naofa in Bandon, will feature eye-catching traffic calming measures designed to encourage more students to consider alternative modes of transport when traveling to and from school.
Brightly coloured shapes have been painted on the school’s access road and a raised pedestrian crossing has been built as part of efforts to slow down traffic approaching the school.
Pencil shaped bollards have also been erected to prevent cars from parking on the footpath.
Ten schools across Cork county have been successful in securing funding during the first round of the SRTS Programme. A further 50 Cork primary and secondary schools are expected to benefit from subsequent rounds.
The works are being carried out by Cork County Council with funding provided by the National Transport Authority and An Taisce.
Mayor of Cork Cllr Gillian Coughlan welcomed the initiative: “It is great to see children and adults travelling to and from the school in such an attractive and safe environment for everyone.
“There has been a noticeable increase in pupils walking and cycling to the school daily, reduced congestion and an increase in pupil safety within the school zone.”
The SRTS programme was launched in March 2021 by the Department of Transport with the support of the Department of Education.
It aims to improve safety at the school gate by preventing parked or stopped cars from blocking the visibility of pedestrians crossing.
It also looks at improving walking and cycling infrastructure.
Ellen Murphy, An Taisce Infrastructure Officer said: “Scoil Phádraig Naofa has been a green school for many years and it was wonderful to build on their sustainable ethos by working together with Cork County Council to provide a school zone on Convent Hill.
“The improved infrastructure provides a visible and safer front of school environment for our walkers, cyclists and park and striders.”