Limerick pupils share excitement over new Safe School Zone

CHILDREN who cycle, walk or wheel to one primary school in Limerick can now do so in a much safer environment, following the completion of work at the school and in the surrounding area.

The Safe School Zone has been implemented for Gaelscoil Sáirséal on Shelbourne Road, in the North Circular Road area of the city.

The new zone is designed to raise awareness to vehicle traffic, that they are driving directly outside of a school and should proceed with caution.

The project is part of the Safe Routes to School programme, an initiative by the National Transport Authority and Green Schools, with the works being delivered by Limerick City and County Council’s (LCCC) Active Travel team.

Minister of State for Transport, TD Jack Chambers, addressed pupils, organisers and all who attended the launch thanking everyone first in as Gaeilge, before referencing the “tremendous leadership” that the students and school are taking.

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“It is a pleasure to be in front of some of the students who are showing tremendous leadership here in the city of Limerick - you are the beings of the future who are really trying to change how we go to school and how we travel in our daily working lives.

“To see your advocacy and promotion of active travel in your school and community is really inspiring.”

School Zones refer to the infrastructural upgrades which are being developed at the front of schools across Ireland. These new instalments and features are designed to reduce traffic at school gates and to improve safe access for children.

Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Francis Foley said: “Teachers can teach happier knowing students are safe and healthy, and more importantly, so are the pupils.

“Our children, grandchildren and future generations will now create habits that will stay with them for life.”

The Active Travel team is part of LCCC and with association with the National Transport Authority (NTA) are working on making Limerick more bike friendly and encouraging people to use ‘sustainable transport modes’, walking or cycling.

In December 2022, Jack Chambers was reassigned as Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Postal Policy.