Fingal County Council’s Active Travel team has confirmed that work will commence at St. Philip the Apostle Junior National School from this Wednesday, January 19.
This School Zone work is part of ongoing Protected Cycle Lane works in the Coolmine area and Fingal County Council will be carrying out works in front of the school for an estimated period of 8-10 weeks.
The works being undertaken have been designed in line with standards outlined by the National Transport Authority. Works include footpath upgrades, the placement of an epoxy surface (a coloured surface) along the road and additional signage.
New bollards designed to look like pencils will also be installed as a visual reminder to motorists that they are in a School Zone and must drive accordingly, slowing their speed and remaining vigilant for children crossing.
Finally, a new zebra crossing will also be constructed to the front of the school, with evergreen rain gardens as a key feature of the landscaping.
Fingal County Council says it has sequenced works to ensure there is no disruption to access for staff and students during the construction period and to minimise the impact to motorists in the area.
Evergreen rain gardens are ground level flower beds built into the footpath.
According to the local authority, these green features will enhance the streetscape with year-round colour, make use of rainfall for natural watering where light flooding might usually occur and have the added benefit of preventing parking on the footpath.
Road safety and the creation of safe environments for children and adults to walk or wheel to schools is a key priority for Fingal County Council. This programme of work is an important development for the school and local community in Coolmine.