Friday, 6th March 2026

Earlier today, Tánaiste Simon Harris officially launched the Safe Routes to School improvements at Temple Carrig Secondary School, Greystones Educate Together and Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Greystones on behalf of Wicklow County Council, in partnership with the National Roads Authority (NTA), An Taisce and LAWpro.

The Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Programme was launched in 2021 and has provided Wicklow County Council with targeted funding to provide safer front of school environments and improved walking and cycling infrastructure around schools.

Wicklow County Council have a total of 24 schools included on the SRTS programme across the county.  So far, we have received funding for 10 schools, with a further 4 announced at the start of this year. To date, works have been completed on 7 schools across the county. 

The improvements at Blacklion Schools Campus are an example of how these works benefit the students today. The improvements around the campus create a safer environment for students when commuting to and from school and will foster important habits regarding safety and awareness that will be carried into adulthood.

Speaking at the official opening, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan said, “It is a great honour for me to be here this morning to mark the completion of the Safe Routes to School works at Temple Carrig Secondary School, Greystones Educate Together, Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Blacklion Manor school campus. This completed project has significantly enhanced the area, improving safety for children and promoting a more active alternative route to and from school”. 

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris T.D. said, "This is exactly the kind of investment that makes a real difference to families in Greystones and right across Wicklow. Safe Routes to School is one of those programmes that just makes sense, safer roads, kids walking and cycling more and less congestion at the school gate. The fact that we now have 24 schools across Wicklow included in this programme, with works completed at 7 already, is something I'm really proud of. I want to thank Wicklow County Council, the NTA, An Taisce and LAWpro for their partnership in delivering this and I look forward to seeing this programme continue to grow across the county."

Deputy Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Brian Gleeson commented, “The Safe Routes to School programme is an excellent example of the various bodies working together to put in place infrastructure to help protect both children and the environment.  It is also looking to the future to ensure those that come next will continue to be safe and seen on their way to school.”

Finola O’Driscoll, National Transport Authority National Lead on Safe Routes to School said, “Wicklow County Council’s delivery of another Safe Routes to School scheme is very welcome. By improving footpaths, crossings and cycling facilities, at the Blacklion Schools Campus, it makes it easier for students to walk, wheel and cycle safely as part of their daily routine, and there are health and wellbeing benefits to that alongside the traffic reduction. We are pleased to support Wicklow County Council, in delivering these improvements, and we look forward to continuing this partnership as further schools in Wicklow progress through the programme.”

Thomas Connell, SRTS Programme Manager, An Taisce noted, "The SRTS programme supports school communities by improving safety and encouraging more sustainable travel choices. By prioritising walking, wheeling and cycling on the approach to school, we are making active travel the natural choice rather than the difficult one. The improvements delivered across this school community create a safer, calmer environment for all students and support greater independence and healthier daily habits. This is an investment not just in infrastructure, but in the long-term wellbeing of the entire school community”.

The aim of the SRTS Programme is to improve safety at the school gate by providing ‘front of school’ treatments to alleviate congestion and improve access. This is achieved by improving walking and cycling infrastructure and cycle parking facilities, thereby promoting an increased number of students to cycle to school.