Safe Routes to School Works to Begin at St Colmcille’s NS, Swords
Fingal County Council has announced that construction of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) improvements at St Colmcille’s National School in Swords will commence in the coming weeks, with mobilisation scheduled for early July. The project marks an important step towards creating safer, more accessible routes for students walking and cycling to school.
The Safe Routes to School programme is funded by the National Transport Authority, administered by An Taisce and delivered by Fingal County Council. It aims to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure, reduce congestion at school gates and encourage more students to travel sustainably. Typical measures include improved footpaths, new crossings, traffic calming interventions and redesigned school entrances that prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.
Works at St Colmcille’s NS will be carried out by M&N Civil Engineering Ltd. and are expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete. The project will be delivered in two phases, commencing with Seatown Road followed by Chapel Lane, with each phase taking approximately four weeks. Works will be managed to maintain two-way traffic at peak times, with localised pedestrian and traffic management in place to minimise disruption and avoid any knock-on effects in surrounding areas.
The scheme includes the introduction of School Zones on Chapel Lane and Seatown Road, enhanced pedestrian crossings, widened footpaths, and junction improvements designed to slow traffic and improve visibility. This Safe Routes to School project will complement the current Sustainable Swords projects that are under construction at the moment; the Swords Culture Quarter, R132 Connectivity Project and Seatown Road Active Travel. Together, these measures will create a safer and more welcoming environment for students, parents, and the wider community.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy, said: “This is a very positive step for the local community in Swords. The improvements at St Colmcille’s will support safer journeys, encourage more families to choose walking and cycling each day and give parents and guardians greater peace of mind, knowing their children can travel in a safe and secure environment.”
The project reflects strong local support, with a clear majority of survey respondents supporting measures to improve safety, enhance crossing points, and reduce traffic speeds around the school.
David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel & Sports at Fingal County Council, added: “This project delivers practical improvements that respond directly to the needs of the school community. By introducing traffic calming, safer crossings, and enhanced footpath infrastructure, we are making it easier and safer for students to walk and cycle to school.”
This scheme is included in Round 2 of the Safe Routes to School programme, with further works planned at:
- St Helens SNS, Limetree Avenue, Portmarnock
- Holy Family JNS, Forest Fields, Swords
- Scoil Bhríde Buachaillí & Cailíní, Church Avenue, Blanchardstown
For further information, including project details and drawings, please visit: www.fingal.ie/activetravel/srts
