All schools in Galway city are to see increased safety markings and infrastructure, along with measures to encourage walking and cycling to school.
The Galway City Council announced this week that it will be installing School Zones for all schools across the city. School Zones use markings and infrastructure to increase safety outside schools and encourage more pupils, parents, and staff to cycle or walk to school - or use public transport - instead of using private cars.
'Meaningful impact'
The council's plans will see a tender for comprehensive School Zones designed for city schools. Designs will be progressed for a number of schools per year, with a view to making the front of school environment safer for children as they arrive. Engagement with the school community will form part of the tender.
Initial measures have already begun, with the installation of markings currently on-going at 14 schools across the city. The purpose of the spots is to raise awareness among road users that they are entering an environment where there is a school, as well as to encourage awareness and slower speeds.
.
The initiative has been welcomed by Social Democrats Galway City East councillor, Owen Hanley. “This will make a meaningful impact on school traffic in the city,” he said. “School zones represent a move to save something so simple, the choice for children to walk or cycle to school.
“It is sad to think the way we have planned our city would prevent parents from having the basic option to walk or cycle their children to school. Now we're beginning seeing the right changes being invested in."
'We cannot underestimate the generational impact of making active mobility an attractive choice from an early age'
The School Zones project emerges at a time when schools are proactively demanding increased safety for pupils and more sustainable methods of travel to school. Galway's first School Zone was rolled out in 2020 at Scoil Iognáid. According to Cllr Hanley, the success of the pilot project has seen increased numbers of students choosing to cycle and walk to school.
.
Earlier this year, 32 school principals wrote to city councillors and the local authority, calling for sustainable transport investment. "Schools should be recognised for the leadership they've shown on this issue,” said Cllr Hanley.
He said the benefits of School Zones will be felt beyond the immediate areas of the schools themselves. “We cannot underestimate the generational impact of making active mobility an attractive choice from an early age,” he said. “In a difficult year, teachers and staff have been keeping one eye on the future and calling for much needed change."
