Works on safe routes to school scheme in rural Wexford village to finally commence ‘in the coming weeks’
Wexford PeopleWexford County Council (WCC) has confirmed that works on the safe routes to school scheme (SRTS) in Kiltealy are to commence in the coming weeks. At the September meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD) Tom Byrne of WCC’s active travel team announced that, following a public information meeting in the village last month, the council is finally in a position to begin construction on the scheme.
That information meeting came on foot of 92 submissions from members of the public regarding the layout and design of the project with concerns raised about proposed carparks, designated drop off/collection points, and a lack of consultation with the local community.
A national programme, safe routes to school is coordinated by An Taisce with the aim of improving safety and facilitating active travel to schools. In order to qualify for the works, schools must apply for the SRTS and be approved by An Taisce.
As part of the process An Taisce gathers information from the school community – in this instance Kiltealy National School – via a travel survey, carries out observations at school drop off and collection times, carries out audits along key routes to the schools, collaborates with the school and the local authority (WCC) and provide supports to the school and the local authority as works progress. All design, public consultation, securing funding for work, and delivery of work, is the function of the local authority.
In this instance, in the wake of those 92 submissions, WCC’s design team returned with a revised plan which they presented to the public in Kiltealy last month. At that meeting in the village’s community centre, director of services with WCC Mr Eamonn Hore and his staff set up detailed drawings and maps of the proposed works and fielded questions from those who continued to voice their opposition to the plans.
Now fully approved, the scheme will see ramps, pedestrian crossings, additional public lighting, reduced road widths, and footpath improvements carried out in the village with the overall aim to encourage more children to walk, cycle or scoot to school. Following consultation with the local community, WCC decided to reduce the number of footpaths included in the works and this was welcomed by the board of management at Kiltealy National School.
“These updated proposals reflect the submissions made by community members during the recent public consultation, highlighting the value of public engagement in shaping local developments,” it said. “We are encouraged by the council’s commitment to addressing key issues, particularly those related to speed and congestion outside the school.”