‘Safe Routes to School’ scheme plans for Johnstown on display
Plans to improve safety at St Stephen's National School in Johnstown, Navan, are currently on public display as part of the Safe Routes to School scheme.
Meath Co Council is proposing new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure with traffic calming measures in Johnstown Wood to improve safety in the vicinity of the national school.
The scheme includes construction of traffic calming measures, and new and upgraded cycle and pedestrian facilities on both sides of the L5057, from its junction with Beech Drive, to the roundabout adjacent to the Johnstown Education Campus. The existing pedestrian crossing on the L5057 is to be upgraded to link with new pathways extending north to Birch Lawns, south to Beech Drive, and south-east to the Johnstown Education Campus boundary.
A new gated non-vehicular access to Johnstown Education Campus and new footpaths within the campus also form part of the scheme.
Traffic calming measures and new and upgraded pedestrian crossings at the roundabout adjacent to Johnstown Education Campus are proposed along with an upgraded pedestrian crossing at the junction of the L5057 and Beech Drive (L50574).
The scheme has been developed as part of the nationwide Safe Routes to School programme which is led by An Taisce who develop bespoke solutions for each school, and is funded by the National Transport Authority. It is supported by both the Department of Education and the Department of Transport.
The scheme will provide high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure to encourage active travel in Johnstown Wood and aims to enable safe, efficient and sustainable travel to the schools and the wider population of Navan.
The planning report states that the footpath-level cycle facilities on both side of Birch Avenue will be segregated from motorised traffic, increasing safety and that the addition of enhanced raised Zebra crossings with Belisha beacons on Birch Avenue and at the roundabout will increase the comfort and safety levels of both pedestrians and cyclists.
"Furthermore, the tightened junction at Birch Avenue/Beech Drive will help slow turning vehicles, improve sight lines, and create a more pleasant crossing experiences for cyclists and pedestrians. Lastly, the 350 metres of new pathway will provide direct access to the school campus from the neighbourhoods north and south of Birch Avenue. All of these measures aim to encourage more walking and cycling to school and decrease the use of cars for picking up and dropping off school-aged children."
With traffic congestion a huge issue around the schools' campus in Johnstown, there have been calls for many years for a second access onto the L5050 road which links old Johnstown village with the Kentstown Road at Casey's Cross.
However, Meath Co Council has no plans to allow a school access on the road.
Details of the St Stephen's NS Safe Routes to School Scheme can be viewed in Meath Co Council's Planning Office at Buvinda House until 30th January, or online at https://planning.localgov.ie/. Submissions can be made up to 14th February.