Eight Cork County Schools Join Safe Routes to School Programme as National Expansion Continues

Eight schools in County Cork are to join Round 5 of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme, as part of a nationwide expansion by the National Transport Authority (NTA), the Department of Transport and An Taisce. The addition brings the total number of Cork schools taking part to 44.

The schools joining Round 5 are Burnfort NS, Carrigtwohill Community College, Dunderrow NS, Gurraneasig NS, Scoil Mhuire Ballyhooly, Scoil Naomh Muire in Farran, St. Joseph’s NS in Dromore and Walterstown NS. The remaining schools that applied will continue to be considered through future rounds.

Since its launch in 2021, the programme has become one of Ireland’s biggest active travel initiatives. It is funded through the NTA’s Active Travel investment programme on behalf of the Department of Transport, coordinated by the Safe Routes to School Team at An Taisce, and delivered in partnership with local authorities.

In Cork City and County, improvements delivered so far include pencil-shaped bollards, colourful road markings, upgraded footpaths and improved pedestrian crossings. Surveys from schools where infrastructure works have been completed show cycling to school has increased by almost 49%, walking by 8% and scooting by 17.5%, while car use has fallen by more than 10%.

Programme delivery in Cork County to date stands at 16 school zones completed and 8 projects under construction. A further 3 are at preconstruction design stage, 5 are at preliminary design, and 12 are at options development following completion of school surveys.

The newly announced schools will now begin working with Cork County Council and the Safe Routes to School team to identify measures tailored to local needs.

Cllr. Bernard Moynihan, Mayor of the County of Cork, welcomed the announcement:

“I welcome the inclusion of these eight Cork schools in the latest round of the Safe Routes to School Programme. These projects are helping to make journeys to and from school safer while encouraging more children to walk, wheel and cycle…”

Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Cork County Council, said:

“Cork County Council is committed to creating safer and more sustainable transport options for our communities, and the Safe Routes to School Programme is a key part of that work.”

Anne Shaw, CEO of the National Transport Authority, said:

“By creating safer, more accessible and more welcoming streets around schools, we are making it easier for children to walk, wheel and cycle while giving parents greater confidence in how their children travel.”

Thomas Connell, Program Manager, Safe Routes to Schools, said:

“Together with our delivery partners, we remain focused on supporting every participating school to make active travel a safe and practical daily choice.”

St. Patrick’s Boys National School in Skibbereen is one of the schools already benefiting from the programme. Alan Foley, Principal of St Patrick’s BNS, said:

“We have seen an increase in pupils walking, scooting and cycling to school, and parents and the wider school community have welcomed the improvements, which have made the daily journey to and from school safer and more pleasant for everyone.”