Safe Routes to School Improvements at St Kevin's NS, Rathdown Road, Greystones
On Tuesday, 17th June 2025, Wicklow County Council officially opened the Safe Routes to School improvements at St Kevin’s NS, Rathdown Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow.
The SRTS Programme was launched in 2021. The programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA), is coordinated by the Education and Community Action Team of An Taisce and is delivered in partnership with local authorities. It has provided Wicklow County Council with targeted funding to provide safer front of school environments and improved walking and cycling infrastructure around schools.
Following an announcement at the end of 2024, an additional 141 schools were rolled into the active programme, through the launch of round three. Wicklow County Council is delighted to have two more of our schools included. These schools will join a list of eight others in Co Wicklow for which funding has been received to date.
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 and support active travel. This is achieved by improving walking and cycling infrastructure and cycle parking facilities, thereby promoting an increased number of students to cycle to school.
The improvements at St Kevin’s NS exemplify 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.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, welcomed the official opening of the Safe Routes to School improvements at St. Kevin’s NS, stating, "It is a great honour for me to be here this morning to mark the completion of the Safe Routes to School works at St Kevin’s National School. This completed project has significantly enhanced the area ensuring safety for children and peace of mind for parents. It was designed to encourage as many pupils as possible to walk and cycle to school."
"I would like to pay tribute to the Wicklow County Council’s Active Travel Team together with the staff from Greystones Municipal District for their hard work and dedication from design to construction on this project. It is a great achievement of all parties involved to witness this delivery of works here today, which no doubt will be enjoyed by many and for many years to come."
Director of Services of Wicklow County Council, Michael Nicholson, commented, "I would like to thank the National Transport Authority (NTA) for their funding towards the Active Travel Investment Schemes in the past as well as our continued partnership into the future."
"The completion and official launch of the Safe Routes to School project at St Kevin’s is one of many NTA projects in progress. It clearly demonstrates Wicklow County Council’s commitment, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce, to sustainable transport and improving infrastructure to support active travel measures for the future."
IMAGERY
Picture 1: Cathoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan and Cathoirleach of Greystones Municipal District Cllr.Tom Fortune with local representatives, Council representatives, members and pupils of St. Kevin's National School. Photo Credit: Mick Kelly.
Picture 2: (L to R) Susan Doorley (Safe Routes to School, An Taisce), Director of Services, Wicklow County Council Michael Nicholson, Principal, St. Kevin's NS, Greystones Paul O'Dwyer, Cathoirleach of the Greystones Municipal District Cllr. Tom Fortune, Cathoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan, St. Kevin's NS Parents Association Lorraine Rockett, School Traffic Warden Una Armstrong and pupils. Photo Credit: Mick Kelly.
Picture 3: The new Bicycle shelter at St. Kevin's NS, Greystones. Photo Credit: Mick Kelly.
Picture 4: School traffic warden Una Armstong with pupils from St. Kevin's NS on the new zebra crossing on Church Lane. Credit: Mick Kelly.
Picture 5: Pupils use the new path between St.Kevin's NS and Church Lane in Greystones at the launch of Safe Routes to Schools. Credit: Mick Kelly.
Picture 6: 6th class pupil Isabelle Byrne speaking. Credit: Mick Kelly.
Picture 7: Cathoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan. Credit: Mick Kelly.