The Safe Routes to School initiative is launched to create safer walking and cycling paths
Transportation Secretary Eamon Ryan ,Secretary of Education Norma Foley TD and Secretary of state Hildergard Newton TD on March18 , 2021 launched a new initiative called Safe Routes to School which will support the infrastructure for going to schools across the country .
The Safe Routes to School Program aims to create safer walking and cycling paths within communities , reduce congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or go to School by bike.
Transportation Minister Eamon Ryan said:
Schoolchildren need adequate infrastructure to make cycling and brisk walking a practical option for all families , to help children reach School Safely and this way is better for their health and development and better for protectin the environment.
As Education Minister Norma Foley said :
The initiative gives school communities the opportunity to find healthier and more sustainable solutions to go to and from school ,The initiative will also provide an activity that is an essential element of the well-being of pupils
Secretary of State Hildegard who has delegated responsibility for the program within the Department of Transportation also said :
we hope that ,with the passage of time, through the investment and cooperation arising from the Safe Roads to School program , we will help every student to go to and from School safely , whether by foot or bicycle, and we will also work to remove the barriers they face at the present time and make the daily trip to the school enjoyable and safe for every student.
The program will certainly be funded by the Ministry of Transport through the National Transportation Authority (NTA), and with the support of the Ministry of Education .Taisce Green Schools will coordinate the program ,while the funding will be provided to local authorities who will play an essential role in delivering the infrastructure along the access roads. and at the school gate.
for more information about the program visit the link
www.greenschoolsireland.org/saferoutestoschool
It is worth nothing that more than 15 million euros will be allocated to the Safe Routes to School program in 2021.
Source:Cork Safety Alerts
