HOPES are high that a new street initiative is paved with success for a Northside school run.
School Streets was officially launched last week to improve the safety and wellbeing of pupils attending both St Oliver Plunkett’s and St Andrew’s National Schools in Malahide.
Under the initiative, a section of Grove Road outside St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School is transformed temporarily into a car-free, pedestrian and cycling zone to create a safer, cleaner and more environmentally friendly space outside the school.
The initiative, the first of its kind to be rolled out in Ireland by a local authority, was approved by the Howth-Malahide Area Committee at a meeting last month.
The entrance to St Oliver Plunkett’s National School has been transformed from a congested road into a lively playground full of children playing with friends before their lessons.
Kids are actively playing on the road with friends during the operating hours before heading into the school for lessons.
The scheme was implemented due to the traffic challenges that were faced outside both St Oliver Plunkett’s and St Andrew’s Primary Schools, which are adjoined to Grove Road and Church Road respectively.
The challenges included school gate congestion, unsafe parking and blocking of footpaths, road safety risks due to vehicular movements, children being exposed to excess air pollution, and car-dependent children being less physically active.
The initiative provides a pedestrianised zone on Grove Road where access for vehicles to this section will be restricted during drop off and collection times of the school.
These times are between 8.30-9.15am and 1pm-2.45pm from Monday to Friday during term time only.
Exemptions to School Streets will include Disabled Badge holders, if living within the zone, and residents with permits living on Grove Road between Church Road and The Rise. Teachers of St Oliver Plunkett’s arrive at the school before the 8.30am start.