Safe Routes to School - Pope John Paul II NS, Malahide, Co. Dublin

To implement improvements which will encourage walking and cycling in the area of Pope John Paul II National School, Malahide, Co. Dublin, Fingal County Council is proposing the roll out of a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme.

What is the ‘Safe Routes to School (SRTS)’ Programme?

Safe Routes to School is a national programme delivered by Fingal County Council on behalf of An Taisce and Green Schools. Pope John Paul II NS applied, and successfully qualified for Round 1 of the programme being rolled out to encourage children and their guardians to walk or cycle to school.

Aims of the SRTS Programme

Improve safety at the school gate by providing ‘front of school’ treatments to alleviate congestion and improve access
Improve access routes to school by improving walking and cycling infrastructure
Increase the number of students who cycle to school by expanding the amount of cycle parking.

What is proposed at Pope John Paul II in Malahide?

Safe Routes to School designs are unique to each participating school. At Pope John Paul II NS we will provide the following:

Creation of a car-free School Street each morning and afternoon.
Tightened junctions at Inbhir Íde with Caves Strand, Sea Road. Tightened junctions slow down approaching traffic and make crossing the road quicker and safer.
Resurfaced footpath on Caves Strand adjacent to junction.
Build a short ramp to enable cycling access to Inbhir Íde Drive.
Extended footpath around the green area in Inbhir Íde, with flexible bollards protecting the path.
Added school zone signs and coloured road surfacing at Inbhir Íde Drive.
Tightened junction at Inbhir Íde Close with Inbhir Íde Drive, and tightened junction at Sonesta.
Extended footpath from the corner of Inbhir Íde Close to the school along Inbhir Íde Drive.
Tightened junction at Árd na Mara with Yellow Walls Road.
Upgraded zebra crossing at Caves Marsh.
Signage to formalise the one-way system already in place during school drop off and pick up times.
A series of other minor changes to signage, junctions and crossings to support the Safe Routes to School scheme.

Together, all of these changes will make the approach to the school, and the school entrance, safer for children which will encourage increased walking and cycling to school. The changes will also make the area around the school more accessible for people on foot and safer for people of all ages to walk or cycle. These changes will make drivers more aware of the proximity of the school.

Parents/Guardians, in response to a survey carried out by An Taisce, told us they want new and improved cycle paths and footpaths, safer crossing points and fewer cars at the school gate. This plan delivers the changes that your school community has requested.

The survey found that 69% of students walk, cycle or scoot to Pope John Paul II Nation School and 97% of parents/guardians support better walking and cycling access to the school.

Under what legislation will the works be carried out?

The works will be carried out under Section 38 Road Traffic Act 1994 (as amended) and section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended).

What design guidance has been used for this scheme?

Safe Routes to School Design Guide - NTA

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/publications/safe-routes-to-school-design-guide/

Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets – Government of Ireland

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3360b1-design-manual-for-urban-roads-and-streets/

The Cycle Design Manual – NTA

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/publications/cycle-design-manual/

Traffic Signs Manual – Department of Transport

https://www.trafficsigns.ie/tsm-cur

What comes next?

Following the non-statutory online public consultation we have now completed our consultation report and finalised our design. The report can be found in our available documents section on this page. Works on site are starting on the 23rd September 2024.

All resources relating to this consultation can be viewed below.

Belisha, Beacons and Lighting

Drawing Register

General Arrangement

Proposed Drainage

Traffic Signs and Road Markings

Road Pavements, Kerbs and Footways

Site Clearance and Earthworks

Site Location

Standard Details

PJPII AA Screening Report

PJPII EIA Screening Report