Scoil Iognáid pupils and their parents took to the streets on Monday to mark their school becoming the first in Galway to take part in the ‘School Streets’ pilot project.
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 idea is to create a safer, calmer space for children, parents, and residents to walk, scoot, or cycle.
As part of the pilot project, Palmyra Row, Palmyra Avenue, and Raleigh Row will be pedestrianised from Mondays to Fridays from 8.15am to 9.15am and 1.15pm to 2.45pm, during school term times. Residents will still have access to their homes during these times, as will cyclists or ‘blue badge’ holders accessing the school.
.
The pilot was launched by the Mayor of Galway, Mike Cubbard, and Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton. It is funded by the National Transport Authority, and delivered with the support of the Green-Schools Travel programme, An Garda Siochána, and the wider school community.
Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, said City Hall was "delighted to partner with Scoil Iognáid" for the pilot, and he praised the "fantastic initiative shown by the parents, children and teachers" in the school. "The engagement, support and buy-in of the wider community has been heartening," he said. "We look forward to learning from this pilot, with a view to engaging with more schools in Galway city."
.
Minister Hildegarde Naughton said: "The team at Scoil Iognáid, the pupils, parents, Galway City Council, and wider community are setting a great example to other cities and communities nationwide."
For more information on the School Streets project see www.galwaycity.ie/schoolstreets
