Carlow schools celebrate opening of landmark opening of innovative safe routes to school
The latest safe routes to schools project was launched in Askea girls school earlier this week
The latest safe routes to schools project was launched on Monday in Askea, Carlow, as the Holy Family Girls National School (NS) and Holy Family Boys National School (NS) officially opened their transformative Active Travel Initiative under the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme. The public opening, marked by a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony, brought together local dignitaries, school communities, and national stakeholders to commend a collaborative effort that promises safer, healthier journeys for hundreds of students.
The event, held Monday, June 16th, at the front of Holy Family Girls NS, Askea, was attended by An Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. Fergal Browne. The scheme was officially opened by the Mayor of the Municipal District of Carlow, Cllr. Fintan Phelan, who was joined by Cllr Ken Murnane, Cllr Andrea Dalton, Cllr Paul Doogue, and Deputy Catherine Callaghan TD. Key figures from Carlow County Council were also in attendance, including Chief Executive, Coilín O Reilly and Director of Services, Pádraig O Gorman, alongside their dedicated staff.
Further enhancing the significance of the occasion were school Principal Mairead Mullaly of Askea Boys NS and Acting Principal Mary Kehoe of Askea Girls NS, accompanied by enthusiastic Green Schools children. Representatives from An Taisce, including Thomas Connell, and representatives from contractors Clodywood Civil Engineering Ltd. including Michael Bennett and Sean Miskella, also bore witness to this significant stride in active mobility infrastructure.
The Mayor of the Municipal District of Carlow, Cllr. Fintan Phelan, expressed immense pride in the project's completion: "Today marks a pivotal moment for the Holy Family Girls & Boys National Schools and the entire Askea community. This Safe Routes to School initiative is more than just new infrastructure; it's an investment in the health, safety, and future well-being of our children. By creating a dedicated, highly visible School Zone, we are actively encouraging active travel, reducing congestion, and fostering a safer, more sustainable environment for everyone. This achievement truly showcases the power of collaboration between Carlow County Council, the NTA, An Taisce, and the dedicated school communities."
The Chief Executive of Carlow County Council Coilín O Reilly added, "The successful delivery of this project underlines Carlow County Council's commitment to sustainable transport and pedestrian safety. We are delighted to see the tangible benefits of the Safe Routes to School Programme come to life here in Askea, providing a template for future initiatives across our county."
Thomas Connell of An Taisce commented on the initiative, stating, "The Carlow Safe Routes to School project at Holy Family Girls & Boys National Schools is a fantastic example of how collaboration can transform the daily lives of students. These vibrant, child-friendly interventions create a visible and safe passage for active travel, empowering children to walk, cycle, and scoot to school with confidence and independence. This is a model for safer, greener school communities nationwide.”
This project is a shining example of how targeted infrastructure improvements can create lasting positive change for communities, promoting active lifestyles and ensuring children can travel to school safely and independently.