Johnstown included in ‘Safe routes’ plan for school students

Efforts to provide a safe routes to St Stephen's National School in Navan will see improved cycling and walking facilities, new pedestrian crossings and safer roundabouts in Johnstown over the coming months.

The Johnstown primary school is one of six schools across the country chosen for inclusion in the Safe Routes to School programme.

A preliminary design for the programme has been prepared and includes extensive new walking and cycling routes to the school which shares a campus with Colaiste na Mi and the new building for St Mary's Special School.

Funding has already been allocated and the work is expected to take place during the summer months when the schools are closed.

Paul McKeown told last week's meeting of Navan Municipal Council that An Taisce co-ordinates the programme, working with schools and the local authorities. The aim is to support active travel, walking and cycling to school and is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority.

Jacobs have been appointed as technical consultants and have prepared an initial design.

The design includes widening existing footpaths to convert them to pedestrian/cycling facilities, new walking links will also be provided and existing roundabouts and junctions will be tightened to make them safer.

New raised table crossings will be provided in some locations, while new crossings with flashing Belisha beacons will also be installed.

Cllr Tommy Reilly said he wanted to see a new pedestrian route from Boyne View and Carne Hill and Millbrook and the old Johnstown village area.

Cllr Emer Tóibín called for a campaign to encourage girls to cycle to school.

“Girls in secondary schools don't like cycling. We have quite a bit of infrastructure now, but girls don't seem to want to cycle. The boys will, but girls seem to have something against it.

“Could we front a campaign that would encourage them to cycle,” she asked.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons agreed this was a problem. “I don't know how you would encourage them, maybe a change in uniform.

Cllr Yemi Adenuga described the proposals as “really exciting.” “We need anything that an reduce traffic.”

She recalled a trip to Copenhagen where councillors saw how active travel operated there.

“What struck me was how easily women cycled to work. We can build all the infrastructure we like, but we need to give people orientation to encourage them to cycle,” she said.

The Mayor of Navan Cllr Eddie Fennessy said: “Encouraging children to walk and cycle to school will have a number of benefits for local communities. The safer routes to school initiative is a no-brainer really.

“The long term communal benefits they will bring to the town are immeasurable.

“An increased roll-out of active travel infrastructure will make for healthy children, less traffic on our roads and a better quality of life for local communities.

“I fully support such initiatives. Navan will be a healthier, happier place and that's something to be welcomed.”