Scheme Overview
Scoil Iognáid has been home to the first city-centre School Street in Ireland since the project opened on an initial pilot basis in November 2020. A School Street is a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times. The restriction applies to school traffic and through traffic. The result is a safer, healthier, and more pleasant environment for everyone.
A Report into the Pilot Project found that the scheme has reduced car use (down 14%) and increased the number of children walking (up 11%), cycling (up 7%) and scooting (up 3%) to school. The initiative has also received very positive feedback from families, staff, and the local community who have noted improvements in safety and accessibility for children, reductions in idling traffic and congestion and even positive impacts on the children’s mood and behaviour.
Building on the success of this initiative, Galway City Council’s Active Travel Team have further supported the School Street with a suite of additional works at Scoil Iognáid and along Raleigh Row and in adjoining areas. Working closely with Scoil Iognáid, the National Transport Authority and An Taisce’s Safe Routes to School team, Galway City Council has widened pedestrian footways, tightened junctions, updated crossings and installed new road markings, signage and pencil bollards. This has resulted in a pleasant and safe front of school experience for pupils at Scoil Iognáid.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Eddie Hoare and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. officially opened this project in May 2024.
