Consultation with Kildare schools sought over Safe Routes to School scheme

Kildare County Council has said it will meet with the principals of Patrician Primary and St Conleth's schools, Newbridge, in advance of the implementation of a Safe Routes to School scheme.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer (FG), speaking at a recent Kildare-Newbridge municipal district meeting, called on the council to meet with the principals of both Newbridge schools.

Cllr O'Dwyer said she brought forward her motion as she was asked by the schools in question to highlight the fact that the principals had “serious concerns” about the safety of children cycling to school.

She said the initial stages of the Safe Routes to School had been carried out by An Taisce, which involved a presentation and an online survey for principals to complete.

However, she stated, the online survey came at a busy time of the school year, in November last, and the principals felt they “didn't really fully understand the process.”

Cllr O'Dwyer said she was quite “reticent” about these schemes, because “if they don't work, they'll land back in your lap as to why they're not working.”

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Although this was was an National Transport Authority (NTA) led project, she said, “NTA are not sitting here in front of us, and NTA are not the ones who are going to be answering the queries.”

“If we don't get these right from the start we'll be facing the same issues down the line”, Cllr O'Dwyer said of the Safe Routes to School scheme.

The Fine Gael councillor said that the schemes can be “great initiatives”, providing safe passage and cycle routes for children to travel to and from school, “but only if they're done right.”

She welcomed the council's report, as well as the fact that principals would be met by the council to discuss and agree proposals.

A council official said that, as these schools were on the Safe Routes to School list, it was “quite useful” to have the matter raised by Cllr O'Dwyer.

When all stakeholders are included in the process, he said, the chances of success for the project are significantly increased.

The official confirmed that discussions will be held with the school so that there is an understanding of the scope of the scheme, “and that the expectations are understood.”

All stakeholders would be involved in the process, he said, and an “open and transparent discussion” would be held between all parties.

Councillors would be consulted before any public consultation process, the official concluded.