PICTURES: Caherconlish latest school to benefit from Limerick Active Travel upgrades

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PICTURES: Don Moloney

PUPILS in Caherconlish NS in county Limerick will now be in a position to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle to and from the classroom in a much safer manner following the completion of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) infrastructure outside their school gates. 

The Active Travel team in Limerick City and County Council has delivered the infrastructure following successful funding applications from the schools directly to the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The works at Caherconlish National School include: A raised pedestrian crossing on High Street, build outs for traffic calming purposes, junction tightening at Hillview Drive and footpath widening.

The upgrades were launched by Mayor of Limerick John Moran, who partook in an organised Park and Stride event with a number of the 106 pupils, their parents/guardians and staff at the school.

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A commemorative tree has also been planted adjacent to the school in conjunction with the opening of the project.

Principal of Caherconlish NS, Patrick Ryan, said: “We are delighted with the upgraded facilities at the front of our school, which will make journeys much safer for all students, particularly those who choose to walk, wheel and cycle. 

“The works will not only lead to a healthier, more active school environment, but as illustrated by the ‘Park and Stride’ with the Mayor, will improve the social fabric of our school community. 

“We thank the Active Travel team, the NTA and An Taisce for helping us to deliver these upgrades.”

A Safe Routes to School project has also recently been delivered by the Active Travel Limerick team Crescent College Comprehensive, Dooradoyle.

This also follows a successful funding application from the two schools directly to the NTA for inclusion in the second round of the Safe Routes to School Programme with the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce co-ordinating the overall programme.

Mayor John Moran said: “We are continuing to make great progress across Limerick in making sure vulnerable road users like school children have safe, sustainable transport choices, with these latest schemes in Caherconlish and Dooradoyle illustrating that to great effect. 

“Everyone gains with projects like these – those who can walk, wheel or cycle derive the well documented physical and mental benefits of that, while those who need to drive benefit from more limited congestion at the school gates. 

“Facilities like these, as demonstrated by the organised ‘Park and Stride’ in Caherconlish which I was delighted to be a part of, can also serve as social outlets, bringing people together and enhancing our communities across both the city and county.”

The works at Crescent College Comprehensive, Dooradoyle include: A pedestrian priority crossing at the entrance to the school, junction tightening and the installation of new tactile paving.

The schemes intend to prioritise the safety, accessibility and visibility of students walking and cycling to and from all three schools, along with providing traffic-calming and vehicle restrictions to address congestion and driver behaviour.

Cathaoirleach of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District, Cllr Martin Ryan, says the project in Caherconlish is a boost to the village as a whole.

“Caherconlish is a close, tight-knit community and the success of this project will be down to a buy-in from pupils, their parents, staff, businesses and all surrounding residents. 

“An environment is being created through projects like these where our children can take pride in their surroundings and be active participants in their own safety. 

“This project will lead to more than just safer roads around the school - it will strengthen ties between families, neighbours, and the wider Caherconlish community.”

Caherconlish NS and Crescent College Comprehensive are the ninth and tenth schools to have benefitted from the Safe Routes to School programme in Limerick since it was developed in 2020.

Other schools to have work completed include: An Mhodhscoil, Roden St, Gaelscoil Sáirséal, Shelbourne Rd, St Paul’s National School, Dooradoyle, Laurel Hill Avenue, South Circular Road (encompassing three schools: Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Laurel Hill Secondary School & St Clement’s College), Lisnagry National School, Castleconnell and St Nessan’s National School, Mungret.

Director of Service for Transportation and Mobility at Limerick Council, Brian Kennedy, said: “Our rollout of the Safe Routes to School programme here in Limerick is a real success story that we’re very proud to be continuing to deliver. 

“The schools ask for safer infrastructure through the NTA and, following extensive consultation and engagement, we are providing it. The geographical spread of these schools throughout the city and county is also a positive, as sustainable transport infrastructure is being provided for pupils, parents and staff in both urban and rural areas. 

“We look forward to seeing similar infrastructure developed across Limerick in the future, with seven more schools across the county having been successful in their applications to round 3 of the Safe Routes to School programme recently.”

Seven more Limerick schools are to benefit from enhanced infrastructure around the school gates having been added to Round 3 of the Safe Routes to School programme, which was announced in November 2024.

These are: Athea NS, Scoil Mhuire NS, Murroe, Shanagolden NS, Carnane NS, Fedamore, Glenbrohane NS, Martinstown NS and Scoil Ailbhe (Caherelly NS).