Scheme Overview
What is Safe Routes to School?
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:
- To accelerate the delivery of walking/wheeling and cycling infrastructure on key access routes to schools.
- To provide “front of school” treatments which will enhance access to your school grounds.
- To expand the amount of bike parking available at schools.
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 and is a nationwide scheme which is operated by An Taisce’s Green Schools Programme in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and local authorities including Galway City Council. The Scheme, which is an initiative of the Department of Transport and supported by the Department of Education, was open to all schools in Ireland who could apply for active travel funding and delivery.
The national Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme was developed in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Green-Schools in March 2021, as a response to the need to support schools to increase walking and cycling as a means of travelling to and from schools. SRTS is managed by An Taisce Green-Schools.
Safe Routes to School is an initiative of the Department of Transport, supported by the Department of Education, and complements the Green-Schools Travel behaviour change programme.
The SRTS programme aims to
- accelerate the delivery of walking/scooting and cycling infrastructure on key access routes to schools
- provide “front of school” treatments which will enhance access to school grounds
- expand the amount of bike parking available at schools
Source: https://greenschoolsireland.org/saferoutestoschool/
21/08/24 – this is now https://greenschoolsireland.org/the-programme/projects/safe-routes-to-school/
What are the Aims of the Galway City Council Safe Routes to School Programme?
The aims of the Galway City Council Safe Routes to School Programme are to:
- Undertake a comprehensive assessment of each Galway City school selected to participate in the Safe Route to School Programme by Green-Schools
- Identify barriers to scooting, walking, and cycling in the front of school environment, and in the local environment on routes to school
- Develop front of school designs, in line with the national Safe Routes to School design guidance, and other interventions on routes to school
- Deliver front of school designs and other local interventions, in consultation and engagement with the wider school community, including residents and other stakeholders
Safe Routes to School Projects in Galway
Galway City Council has engaged with An Taisce, the NTA and a number of schools throughout Galway with a view to progressing Safe Routes to School schemes, including:
- Radharc an Mara - Safe Routes to School
- Galway Educate Together/St. Joseph's - Safe Routes to School
- Scoil Bhríde - Safe Routes to School
- Scoil Chaitríona Junior & Senior - Safe Routes to School
In addition, a Safe Routes to School: School Street initiative has been completed at Scoil Iognáid.
Useful links