Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, has welcomed the commencement of construction for the Safe Routes to School scheme for Scoil Íosa, Oranmore. Minister Naughton introduced this scheme, while the Minister of State in the Department of Transport provided funding for the project.
The works, located on L-4101 Maree Road, will involve the provision of a controlled pedestrian crossing adjacent to the school on Maree Road, with a connection to the existing cycle facility.
A junction tightening is being implemented at three locations off Maree Road, including Hazel Court, Beech Park, and Beech Grove, along with a raised pedestrian crossing across the three junctions, road markings, pencil bollards, and Safe Routes to School signage.
“I am delighted to see this project get underway. Oranmore is thriving and growing, but that has led to more dangerous roads for school-goers.
“The aim of the scheme is to provide 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 improvements to walking and cycling facilities,” the Minister noted.
“In recent years, I have had the privilege of visiting schools across the country and have seen first-hand the positive impact that Safe Routes to School projects are having on our children’s daily lives.
“During these visits, the message was loud and clear that there is a huge appetite for the continued rollout of the Safe Routes to School Programme in our villages, towns, and cities across the country, and I am therefore particularly glad to see the commencement of this project in Oranmore,” Minister Naughton indicated.
“The Safe Routes to School Scheme has been very successfully implemented in many schools over the last several years, and I very much look forward to children in Oranmore being able to walk or cycle to school in a far safer environment.”
