Minister Hildegarde Naughton together with the National Transport Authority announced today that 108 schools will be included in the Safe Routes to School Programme.
The Safe Routes to School Programme aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by making improvements to walking and cycling facilities. The second round of the programme will see over 37,000 students across Ireland benefit from safer infrastructure and encourage them to cycle, walk and wheel to school.
I’m delighted that Camross National School and St Paul's N.S. Irishtown Mountmellick have been selected for inclusion in Round 2 of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme. They join Maryborough NS, Scoil Mhuire NS Abbeyleix and Scoil Phádraig Naofa NS Mountmellick, who were successful in Round 1.
Scoil Bhríde in Edenderry and Scoil Mhuire in Tullamore have also been selected for inclusion in Round 2 of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme. They join Banagher College and Saint Rynagh's NS along with St Joseph's NS in Tullamore and St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry who were successful in Round 1.
Cllr. Mark Hackett added;
“Safer Routes to School (SRTS) is a common-sense initiative to making school travel safer and to alleviate the traffic congestion caused by school-runs. It is great to see two more Offaly schools included in the expanded programme. These additional facilities, in and close to schools, will encourage children to cycle, scoot and walk to school and will put parent’s minds at ease. It also acts a reminder for other road users to be aware of, and keep our schoolchildren safe as they make their way to and from school in an active way.
Choosing walking or cycling over taking the car for shorter journey has many benefits; it fosters independence, is a healthy way for our young people to get around and helps us all to cut emissions and air pollution. Creating safer routes to school for children provides a reassurance for parents and an incentive for children to travel to school in an active, safe way. I congratulate all the Laois and Offaly schools who have been awarded this funding today and I look forward to seeing the progression of the projects.