Rathvilly's school zone starts a new era of safety
The launch of the safer routes to school initiative at Rathvilly NS Andres Sanchez products manager NTA, Ken Madden Priority Construction, cllr John Pender, MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, cllr Brian O'Donoghue cathaoirleach of Tullow Municipal District, deputy Catherine Callaghan, Coilín O'Reilly chief executive Carlow County Council, Olive Cullen Deputy Principal Rathvilly NS, Ann Scully Carlow County Council, Seamus Loughlin Carlow County Council, Angela Whelan Carlow County Council, Thomas Connell Safer Routes to School and Padraig O'Gorman director of services Carlow County Council with pupils from Scoil Phádraig Naofa Rathvilly
IMAGINE a vibrant, child-friendly environment where safety is paramount … well that’s exactly what they have at St Patrick’s National School in Rathvilly, thanks to an innovative project.
Last week, Carlow County Council, in proud partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce, officially launched a transformative Active Travel initiative at the Rathvilly school.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the successful completion of crucial safety enhancement works under the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme, ushering in a new era of safety and vitality for the school and its surrounding area. The heart of this exciting initiative is the newly-implemented School Zone at St Patrick’s NS, packed with innovative features designed to champion pedestrian safety and sustainable travel.
Distinctive pencil-shaped bollards, eye-catching colourful road markings and a bright, visible pedestrian crossing now clearly define the school’s boundaries. This infrastructure serves a dual purpose: to encourage motorists to instinctively reduce their speed and to deter parking on the footpaths, ensuring legal and safe drop-offs outside the immediate school zone. It’s more than just a physical change; it’s about cultivating a lasting culture of road safety within the community.
Cathaoirleach of Tullow Municipal District cllr Brian O’Donoghue led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, joined by a MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, deputy Catherine Callaghan, cllr John Pender and staff from Carlow County Council, including chief executive Coilín O’Reilly and director of services Padráig O’Gorman.
Also present were deputy principal Olive Cullen and the enthusiastic pupils from the Green-School committee of St Patrick’s NS alongside Andrés Sánchez Muñoz, representing the NTA, Thomas Connell from An Taisce and Ken Madden from the scheme’s contractors Priority Construction Ltd.
“The transformation at St Patrick’s NS is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when we collaborate for our children’s safety and wellbeing,” said cllr O’Donoghue.
“This initiative not only enhances safety but also encourages active travel, fostering healthier habits from a young age. We are incredibly proud of this achievement for the Rathvilly community,” he added.
