A 14 per cent drop in daily car use, and an 11 per cent rise in the number of children walking to school, has been achieved following one year of the Galway City Council’s School Streets pilot scheme at Scoil Iognáid.
The pilot scheme has also seen a seven per cent increase in cycling and a three per cent rise in scooting, while teachers have noticed pupils arriving at school more ready to learn, with an improved atmosphere and reduced stress at the school gate.
Parents, meanwhile, have reported a better walking and cycling environment, improved access, and community spirit.
The statistics and feedback are contained in a report, published this week by the council, to mark one year of the pilot project which was 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.
Encouraging
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Celebrating one year of the School Streets project in Scoil Iognáid are Mayor of Galway, Cllr Colette Connolly and Minister Hildegarde Naughton, with Diarmuid Mac Giollarnaith and Matthew Mac Uidhir from sixth class. Photo:- Andrew Downes, Xposure
Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, said the figures were “incredibly encouraging”, and will inform “how we can further boost and facilitate” greater numbers of children “taking a healthier and greener mode of transport” to and from school.
City Hall believes the report and its findings can act as a step-by-step blueprint for local authorities across the State to replicate these results in their own respective counties.
A ‘School Street’ is a road outside a school with a temporary restriction on motorised traffic at school drop off and pick up times – creating a safer, calmer space for children, parents and residents to walk, scoot or cycle. The Galway School Street was the first city-centre School Streets in Ireland.
The National Transport Authority has identified the front of school as the place where children congregate in the greatest numbers and where they are most vulnerable to indiscriminate parking practices, hazardous crossing conditions, and air quality issues from idling cars.
Progress
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Celebrating one year of the School Streets project in Scoil Iognáid are Lola Mae Nic Cormaic, Caoimhe Drea, and Ellen Ní Olláin from sixth class. Photo:- Andrew Downes, Xposure
The council is now looking to progress ’Safe Routes to School’ and ‘School Zones’ at more schools in the city.
“These designs will create a safer front of school environment for children,” said Patrick Greene, director of services, Galway City Council. “If any opportunities arise to deliver School Streets, or ‘traffic free’ streets, Galway City Council welcome the opportunity to explore this with the school community.”
The full report from the public consultation on April/ May 2021, and further information on the School Streets project can be found at www.galwaycity.ie/schoolstreets
