Seven Mayo schools selected for 'safe routes' programme

Six Mayo schools have today been notified that they have been selected for inclusion in the first round of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme to support walking and cycling infrastructure for primary and post-primary schools.

They are Brackloon NS, Westport; Carn NS, Ballina; Cong NS, Davitt College, Castlebar, Gaelscoil Raifteirí, Castlebar, Scoil Iosa, Ballina, and St. Coleman's College, Claremorris.

The schools selected were assessed against a range of criteria including school type, location and the school’s commitment to sustainable travel.

Schools that have applied this year and who have not been included in the first round of funding will not be required to reapply as they will come into the programme on a rolling basis.

There will be no additional call for schools to join the SRTS programme at this time.

The programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education.

An Taisce’s Green-Schools is co-ordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities which will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.

The Safe Routes to School programme aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing walking and cycling facilities.

The improvements to the school commute range from an upgraded footpath or new cycle lane to a complete reworking of the road outside a school’s entrance.

Cycle and scooter parking will be provided to most schools that are part of the programme.

Precise details of the works to be undertaken in and around the individual schools will be determined after a detailed assessment has been carried out by the relevant local authority.

The process of engagement between the schools, NTA and the local authorities is already under way.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “Walking, scooting and cycling to school fosters independence, and is a healthy way for our young people to get around as well as helping us all to cut emissions and air pollution.

"We want to ensure they can do this in a safe way, through providing additional facilities in and close to schools.

"This is the first phase of the Safe Routes to School Programme which I look forward to expanding in the years ahead.”