Safe Routes to School - Gaelscoil Sairseal

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was developed in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Green-Schools in 2020 as a response to the need to support schools to increase walking and cycling to school.

  • Pictured at a Safe Routes to School Launch at Gaelscoil Sáirséal, Shelbourne Road Limerick. Pic: Don Moloney
  • Pictured at a Safe Routes to School Launch at Gaelscoil Sáirséal, Shelbourne Road Limerick. Pic: Don Moloney
  • Gaelscoil Sairseal Safe Routes to School

Limerick City & County Council’s Active Travel team is tasked with delivering the infrastructure to provide the Scheme, following successful funding applications from the schools directly to the NTA.

Gaelscoil Sairseal was selected for inclusion in the first round of the Safe Routes to School programme in 2021.

The Scheme:

The works when finished (and launched in March 2023) was the second of Limerick’s Safe Routes To School Schemes to be completed.

The project on the Shelbourne Road is designed to limit vehicular access in and around the school during pickup and drop-off times in the school term.

The works include:

  • New raised, controlled crossing on Shelbourne Road
  • Junction improvement works at Mayorstone Estate to make it safer for children walking to school.
  • Pencil-shaped bollards and planting have been added along Shelbourne Road to enhance the pedestrian space outside the school and to create awareness for other road users of the school’s presence.
  • Existing access gate on Shelbourne Park is to widen allowing bicycles, scooters and buggies easier access.
  • Shelbourne Park is sometimes used as a park and stride option - the car park has been made safer with new footpaths.

A Part 8 planning application to undertake further works in and around the Gaelscoil Sairseal area was approved by Councillors with amendments in February 2024, having gone through a public consultation process.

The development works will consist of:

  • Setback of the existing boundary wall to enable the creation of a new 4m wide shared pedestrian/cycle path to extend along the western boundary of Gaelscoil Sáirséal on Shelbourne Road
  • Junction tightening of the existing vehicular entrance to the school grounds including setback of existing gates
  • A new pedestrian/cycle entrance off Shelburne Road to the south west corner of the school grounds
  • Landscaping works including tree & hedge removal with tree & hedge replanting works

These further Safe Routes To School works at Gaelscoil Sairseal will be delivered in tandem with the TUS To City Centre Active Travel Scheme.