Four Wicklow schools added to Safe Routes to School Programme

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Transport Minister Darragh O’ Brien alongside National Transport Authority officials (NTA), have announced the inclusion of four additional schools across County Wicklow in the Safe Routes to School programme.

This initiative aims to create safer walking, wheeling and cycling environments for students through measures such as upgraded footpaths, colourful road markings, and enhanced pedestrian crossings.

Since its launch in 2021, the programme has expanded to 526 schools nationwide, with approximately €50 million invested to date. Nearly half of these projects are at advanced stages, including completed works and designs under consultation.

Round 4 introduces tailored safety measures for 12 schools on high-speed rural roads, following successful trials that reduced vehicle speeds.

Scoil Naomh Bríd in Talbotstown, St. Brigid’s National School in Manor Kilbride, Wicklow Educate Together National School and St. Brigid’s National School in Greystones have all been added to Round 4 of the programme and will begin delivering safer environments for children as they walk, wheel or cycle to school.

These improvements include school zone features such as pencil shaped bollards, colourful road markings, upgraded footpaths, and enhanced pedestrian crossings, designed to slow traffic and make walking and cycling safer for students.

The programme aims include improving safety and public health while reducing car congestion and supporting climate goals.

When the programme launched in 2021, 932 schools applied, nearly a quarter of all schools nationally. More than half of those have already been included in the active programme and, it is anticipated, the remaining schools will be added on a rolling basis in future rounds.

Wicklow schools have received a combined funding allocation of over €500,000 through the programme to date.

The following is a breakdown of investments:

St. Kevin’s National School Greystones €75,000

Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath Greystones €80,000

Greystones Educate Together Greystones €80,000

Kilmacanogue National School Kilmacanogue €100,000

Scoil Nioclais Naofa Dunlavin €20,000

Temple Carrig School Greystones €80,000

Scoil Mhuire Réalt na Mara. Brittas Bay (still being assessed)

Scoil Mhoire na n-Aird Not specified €70,000

Funding is available to Wicklow County Council to deliver infrastructure through the NTA’s Active Travel Allocation from the Department of Transport.

Costs and timelines depend on factors such as required interventions, public consultation, planning consent, construction scheduling and annual local authority budgets.

Round 4 schools were selected using the same criteria as previous rounds, ensuring a mix of school types (primary and secondary) and locations (urban, suburban and rural). Selection also considered socio-economic diversity (DEIS and non-DEIS schools), demonstrated commitment to sustainable travel, proximity to other schools and alignment with active travel or safety schemes planned by local authorities.

Figures show 136 school zones are now complete, 45 are under construction, 46 are at late phases of design, following public consultation processes, 23 are going through public consultation processes, 80 are undergoing preliminary design and 79 are at options development.

Following the announcement Wicklow TD Edward Timmins welcomed the allocation.

“I’m thrilled that these Scoil Naomh Bríd, Talbotstown, St. Brigid’s NS, Manor Kilbride, Wicklow Educate Together NS and St. Brigid’s NS Greystones have all been added to Round 4 of Safe Routes to School Programme. This is great news. New safety measures near schools will make walking, wheeling and cycling easier for local schoolchildren in Wicklow.”