Safe Routes to School Improvements at Scoil Niocláis Naofa, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow

Wicklow County Council, in partnership with An Taisce and the National Transport Authority (NTA), officially opened an Active Travel scheme in Dunlavin on 23^rd June, 2025.

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in 2021 and is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA). It is coordinated by the Education and Community Action Team of An Taisce and delivered in partnership with local authorities. This programme has provided Wicklow County Council with targeted funding to create safer environments in front of schools and improve walking and cycling infrastructure around them.

Following an announcement at the end of 2024, an additional 141 schools were added to the active programme through the launch of Round 3. Wicklow County Council is delighted to welcome two more schools to this initiative, joining a total of ten schools in Co. Wicklow that have secured funding to date.

The aim of the SRTS Programme is to improve safety at school gates by implementing ‘front of school’ treatments that alleviate congestion, enhance access and support active travel. This is achieved through improvements in walking and cycling infrastructure and the provision of cycle parking facilities, thereby encouraging more students to cycle to school.

The enhancements at Scoil Niocláis Naofa in Dunlavin include the introduction of a one-way system on a section of Fair Green to improve traffic flow. This measure aims to reduce traffic volumes around the school gate while connecting nearby pathways to provide a connection that allows people to access the school using a mainly residential route demonstrates the benefit these initiatives bring to students today. The” School Zone” improvements to the front of the school create a safer environment for students when commuting to school and will foster important habits regarding safety and awareness that carry into adulthood.

These works include a new traffic calming measures and a more visually appealing environment designed to encourage pupils and parents to walk, cycle or scoot to school in a safer setting. The scheme also provides a safer route for active travel to school from the growing residential area of Dunlavin

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, welcomed the official opening of the Safe Routes to School improvements at Scoil Nicoláis Naofa, stating “It is a great honour for me to be here this morning to mark the completion of the SRTS works at Scoil Nicolais Naofa. This completed project has significantly enhanced the area and improves safety for children at the school gate and promotes a more active alternative to and from school.

We would like to extend our thanks to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for funding this scheme and An Taisce for their continued support and invaluable knowledge in this area.

The Active Travel Investment Programme promotes and encourages healthy living and wellness through walking and cycling and Wicklow County Council is committed to working with the National Transport Authority to provide sustainable transport solutions and promote Active Travel in the County.

We would also like to thank the businesses and residents in the area and I would like to pay tribute to the Wicklow County Council’s Active Travel Team together with the staff from Baltinglass Municipal District for the magnificent work from design to construction. I would also like to mention the contributions made by the school management, parent’s council and various stakeholders who attended workshops arranged by An Taisce. Their input and support for the introduction of the safety measures can be seen in the overall acceptance and success of the project.” 

Wicklow County Council Chief Executive Emer O’Gorman said: "Wicklow County Council is pleased to support these important projects in partnership with the National Transportation Authority and An Taisce, which have secured over €8 million in funding in total this year. Over €1 million of that has been allocated to enhance the Safe Routes to School initiative throughout the County, which aims to improve the safety and accessibility of routes for all students commuting to school.”

Michael Moran, Principal of Scoil Niocláis Naofa, said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us on this journey, to Wicklow County Council, An Taisce, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and our entire school community.”

Susan Doorley, Infrastructure Officer for Louth, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow at An Taisce said: “The Safe Routes to School programme has three aims which are: to improve safety at front of school gates, improve access routes to school and increase the number of cycle parking at schools. Working alongside the 31 local authorities, we have been able to complete construction at 89 schools. We had 932 schools that were accepted onto the programme in 2021 and we currently have 421 on active rounds. Cycle and scooter parking has been delivered at 822 schools which equates to spaces for 10,700 bikes and 5328 scooters!

“Children over five need at least one hour of exercise per day so walking/cycling or scooting to school can contribute to that all the while children are socialising with their friends and creating a lifelong habit.”

IMAGERY

Picture 1: (L to R) Deputy Edward Timmins, Susan Doorley (Safe Routes to School,  An Taisce), Michael Moran (Principal of Scoil Nicolais Naofa), Isabelle Fortune, Karen Moody, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, CE of Wicklow County Council Emer O'Gorman, Cathaoirleach of the Baltinglass Municipal District Cllr. Patsy Glennon, Olivia Byrne and Wicklow County Council Director of Services Joe Lane plant a Holly tree at the launch of the Safe Routes to School at Scoil Nicolais Naofa, Dunlavin. Photo Credit: Mick Kelly.

Picture 2:(L to R) Scoil Nicolais Naofa 6th Class students Olivia Byrne, Karen Moody and Isabelle Fortune with Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan pictured at the new mural in Market Close, Dunlavin. Photo Credit: Mick Kelly.

Picture 3: Deputy Edward Timmins, Susan Doorley (Safe Routes to School,  An Taisce), Principal of Scoil Nicolais Naofa Michael Moran, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, CE of Wicklow County Council Emer O'Gorman, Cathaoirleach of the Baltinglass Municipal District Cllr. Patsy Glennon, Wicklow County Council Director of Services Joe Lane, members of the Baltinglass Municipal District, members of Wicklow County Council, local representatives, members of the School board of management, Conor Miley of Amazon Development. Photo Credit: Mick Kelly.

Picture 4: Teacher Ciara Moran, School Principal Michael Moran, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan with 6th class pupils Karen Moody, Isabelle Fortune and Olivia Byrne. Photo Credit: Mick Kelly.

Picture 5: Deputy Edward Timmins, Susan Doorley (Safe Routes to School,  An Taisce), Principal of Scoil Nicolais Naofa Michael Moran, Isabelle, Fortune, Karen Moody, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, CE of Wicklow County Council Emer O'Gorman, Cathaoirleach of the Baltinglass Municipal District Cllr. Patsy Glennon, Olivia Byrne, Wicklow County Council Director of Services Joe Lane, members of the Baltinglass Municipal District, members of Wicklow County Council, local representatives, members of the School board of management and Conor Miley of Amazon Development. Photo Credit: Mick Kelly.