Safe Routes to School
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was developed in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Green-Schools in 2020 as a response to the need to support schools to increase pupils walking and cycling to school.
Donegal County Council is tasked with delivering the infrastructure to provide the Scheme, following successful funding applications from the schools directly to the National Transport Authority (NTA). The programme addresses issues identified at each of the schools during scheme implementation.
Aims of the SRTS Programme:
- Improve safety at the school gate by providing ‘front of school’ treatments to alleviate congestion and improve access;
- Improve access routes to school by improving walking and cycling infrastructure; and
- Increase the number of students who cycle/scoot to school by expanding the amount of cycle parking
Examples
- Improvements may include upgraded bus set-down and crossing facilities adjacent to the schools, aimed at fostering a safer environment for the school communities.
- Improvements that aim to relieve congestion, reduce speed at the school gates during drop-off and pick-up times.
- Promote the use of alternate transportation methods such as walking and cycling as well as encouraging use of the park and stride from the adjacent public parking.
R-267 Donegal Town Safe Routes to School System - Active Travel Projects
Donegal County Council proposes to upgrade the traffic and pedestrian management on R-267 Donegal Town to improve traffic flow and active travel safe route linkages to Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal in accordance with the drawings and documents associated with the Part 8 application.
The project will include:
Provision of ‘front of school’ treatments at the school gates of Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala to improve safety, alleviate congestion and improve pedestrian access.
- Provision of new bus set down areas at Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala National School.
- Reduction in mainline road width and reallocation of space to widened footways on the southern side of the R-267 road within the scheme extent.
- Refurbishment of the existing signalised pedestrian crossings on the R267 at Aodh Rua National School.
- Reduction of existing junction radii at side roads including to L-2065-1 Old Laghey Road Junction and the L-20855-0 Ardeskin Heights Estate Junction along with the provision of raised uncontrolled pedestrian crossings.
- Provision of upgraded public street lighting infrastructure within the scheme extents.
- New road markings, signage, drainage works, landscaping, and accommodation works.
- Removal of vegetation where required for active travel works described.
- All other ancillary and tie in works to TII, DMURS and relevant standards.
Have your say regarding Donegal County Council Active Travel proposals through our DCC Consultation Portal.
Public Information Event
Thursday 27th February 2025 from 2pm to 7pm at Donegal Town Public Services Centre
Useful Links
Safe Routes to School Design Guide - National Transport
Safe Routes to School | Green-Schools (greenschoolsireland.org)
An Taisce - The National Trust For Ireland