Green Limerick: Active Travel work ready for the new school term

SAFETY and improvement works at St Nessan’s NS, Mungret have been ‘substantially completed’ by Limerick City and County Council ahead of the new school term.

The council’s Active Travel team and its appointed contractor, P&D Lydon, have made major progress and are nearly finished the works ahead of the school’s return.

The upgrades are being conducted in conjunction with the construction of the R510 Raheen roundabout to Quinn’s Cross Active Travel Scheme, which will provide upgraded walking and cycling facilities connecting to the Fr Russell Road Active Travel Scheme, which is close to completion.

The works at St Nessan’s NS follow the school being selected as a successful applicant to the first round of the Safe Routes to School programme in 2021, which is an initiative led by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Green Schools.

READ MORE: Derry Girls star gets behind Oxfam's Second Hand September campaign

Director of service for transportation and mobility at Limerick council, Brian Kennedy, said: “This piece of infrastructure is something that can greatly improve the school-going experience of all pupils at St Nessan’s NS, their parents/guardians and school staff members.

“Creating safer environments for our children and grandchildren outside and near the school gates will enable them to choose to walk, wheel or cycle and make those sustainable travel choices as a means of getting to and from class.

“The works are something the school looked for and the Active Travel team, to their credit, have delivered.”

The new upgrades include measures to highlight to road users that they are within a school zone, a new set down area, an upgraded bus stop and a new pedestrian crossing.

Senior engineer with the Active Travel department in Limerick council, Sean McGlynn, said: “The Safe Routes to School programme is a key element of a much larger vision that we have for Limerick in terms of delivering new and enhanced walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure.”

Construction of the overall R510 Raheen Roundabout to Quinn’s Cross Active Travel Scheme began in July 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2025.