Demands for national funding for road safety measures at Laois schools

More Laois schools should get the opportunity to apply to the 'Safe Routes to School' programme to improve the safety of roads and footpaths around schools, councillors have argued.

The 'Safe Routes to School' programme was developed in 2020 in partnership by the National Transport Authority, Green-Schools, and An Taisce as a way of encouraging more students to walk and cycle to school. 

The aim of the programme is to improve safety at the school gate by providing funding for 'front of school' works to alleviate congestion and improve access for all road users. Developing access routes for walking and cycling is also part of the programme's objectives to increase the amount of students and families walking and cycling to school.

Around 932 schools from across the country applied to the programme in April 2021. Three rounds of funding have so far been approved and the fourth is to be completed over the course of next year. 

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Simon Walton, Director of Services at Laois County Council, said that 12 schools in Laois were awarded the funding.

At the December meeting of Laois County Council, Councillor Conor Bergin requested that the council call on the Minister for Transport, Dara O'Brien, and the National Transport Authority to reopen the applications for the programme in order to give more Laois schools a chance to apply.

Cllr Bergin told the council that road safety is an issue everywhere and this programme would allow for schools in Laois, especially in rural areas, to install road safety measures such as pedestrian crossings, pencil bollards and improved walkways and footpaths.

He said: "Unsafe footpaths, pedestrian crossings, speeding, are all issues that keep coming up." Cllr Bergin explained that the works needed at schools cannot be completed with just municipal funding due to the high costs involved. 

The Borris in Ossory / Mountmellick councillor remarked that much of the NTA's funding goes towards urban areas and neglects rural villages. However, he argued that it is rural schools who need the funding most as the roads and footpaths outside these school are more dangerous.

Cllr Bergin said: "Schools need these works. We need something from national government to help support us." 

Cllr Barry Walsh supported the motion, saying "this should be a standard for all schools." He used Scoil Mhuire in Abbeyleix as a good example of where the road is clearly identified as a school zone with different colour road markings and pencil bollards, ensuring visibility and safety.

Simon Walton confirmed that he would draft a letter to the Minister for Transport about reopening the applications. However, he added that schools who previously made applications are currently being dealt with. 

The Director of Services emphasised the onus is on schools to apply to An Taisce and Laois County Council is only responsible for implementing the works.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme