Safe Routes to Schools

Safe Routes to School

The Safe Routes to School programme has been developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Green-Schools, An Taisce to provide support for schools to increase walking and cycling as the preferred travel mode where possible.

The Safe Routes to School Programme is designed to encourage as many pupils and students as possible in primary and post-primary schools to walk and cycle. It has three aims:

1) To accelerate the delivery of walking/scooting and cycling infrastructure on key access routes to schools.

2) To provide 'front of school' treatments which will enhance access to school grounds.

3) To expand the amount of bike parking available at schools.

Wicklow County Council are responsible for the procurement and coordination for the design and implementation of the schemes approved.

The Safe Routes to School programme has been established with a focus on Active Travel to schools where attention will be given to improving four fundamental areas of;

Road Safety - “Congestion at the school gates is another particularly serious problem, with parents often double-parking, or parking on yellow lines to drop their children off. The result is incredibly dangerous: small children weaving in and out of parked and moving cars at the school gate, many of whom are too small to be seen by drivers pulling in and out.” (CEO Road Safety Authority, 2018)

Environmental e.g. Emissions, noise, fuel consumption

Health e.g. Reduction in opportunities for active travel, negative impacts on air quality

Society e.g. Impacts on public realm and community through blocking of paths, driveways and roads, traffic jams, comfort of residents and school community during the commute.

Design Approach

The design approach together with the proposal should place the school children at the centre of the design, considering their unique requirements to assist in a wider uptake of sustainable transport and moving to a more community based, user friendly environment where all users will benefit.

Wicklow County Council received initial approval for three schools for inclusion in round one of our Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme, which we are progressing with subsequent schools who have been approved joining as the programme advances.