Four Waterford schools are set to receive funding to improve their walking and cycling infrastructure.
They are Garranbane N.S, Glor na Mara in Tramore, Our Lady of Mercy in Stradbally and the Educate Together in Carrickphierish.
They are among 170 primary and post-primary schools nationwide chosen as part of the government's Safe Routes to School programme.
The scheme aims to make children's travels safer and tackle congestion at school gates.
932 schools have expressed interest in the scheme since March, and will be included over time on a rolling basis.
Junior Transport Minister, Hildegarde Naughton, says 15 million euro has been allocated for the first round of the project:
“The level of interest in this scheme has been really positive, and while we’re not in a position to fund projects for each of the 931 schools in 2021, a provisional multi-annual programme has been created which can allow for a rolling programme to facilitate all schools that applied.
“This means that when work is completed at one school, a new school from the list can be added to the programme.
“In other words our plan is that all schools that have applied will, over time, receive investment.
“We want this to be the first year of a rolling fund that will continue well into the future so that we can get around to everybody.”
The improvements to the school commute range from an upgraded footpath or new cycle lane to a complete reworking of the road outside a school’s entrance. Cycle and scooter parking will be provided to most schools that are part of the programme.
Precise details of the works to be undertaken in and around the individual schools will be determined after a detailed assessment has been carried out by the relevant local authority. The process of engagement between the schools, NTA and the local authorities is already under way.
Work on some individual projects may get under way over the summer, to be completed this year. Interventions that may require planning permission, will take longer to deliver, in some instances, a number of years.
The delivery of this programme will also be supported by additional staff being recruited in local authorities, as announced by the Department of Transport in January 2021.
