Fingal County Council has confirmed that construction of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) upgrades at St Colmcille's National School in Swords will get under way in the coming weeks, with site mobilisation scheduled for early July. The project is a significant move towards safer, more accessible journeys for pupils who walk and cycle to school.

The SRTS programme is funded by the National Transport Authority, administered by An Taisce and delivered by Fingal County Council. It aims to boost active travel by improving infrastructure, easing congestion at school gates and encouraging more students to travel sustainably. Typical measures include upgraded footpaths, new pedestrian crossings, traffic-calming features and redesigned entrances that prioritise people walking and cycling.

Works at St Colmcille's NS will be carried out by M&N Civil Engineering Ltd and are expected to take around eight weeks. The job will be delivered in two four-week phases, beginning on Seatown Road and then moving to Chapel Lane. Two-way traffic will be maintained at peak times where possible, supported by localised pedestrian and traffic management to minimise disruption and avoid knock-on effects in nearby areas.

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The scheme will introduce School Zones on Chapel Lane and Seatown Road, enhanced crossing facilities, widened footpaths and junction improvements designed to slow vehicles and improve visibility. It complements ongoing Sustainable Swords projects now under construction, including the Swords Culture Quarter, the R132 Connectivity Project and the Seatown Road Active Travel scheme, collectively creating a safer and more welcoming environment for students, parents and the wider community.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy, said: "This is a very positive step for the local community in Swords. The improvements at St Colmcille's will support safer journeys, encourage more families to choose walking and cycling each day and give parents and guardians greater peace of mind, knowing their children can travel in a safe and secure environment."

The plans reflect strong local backing, with a clear majority of survey respondents supporting measures to improve safety, strengthen crossing points and reduce traffic speeds around the school.

David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel & Sports at Fingal County Council, added: "This project delivers practical improvements that respond directly to the needs of the school community. By introducing traffic calming, safer crossings, and enhanced footpath infrastructure, we are making it easier and safer for students to walk and cycle to school."

This scheme forms part of Round 2 of the Safe Routes to School programme, with further works planned at St Helens SNS (Limetree Avenue, Portmarnock), Holy Family JNS (Forest Fields, Swords) and Scoil Bhríde Buachaillí & Cailíní (Church Avenue, Blanchardstown).

For more information, including project details and drawings, visit: www.fingal.ie/activetravel/srts