Release of School Streets Guidance document to support Safer School Environments Across Ireland
The School Streets Guidance document is designed to support local authorities with the delivery of School Streets across Ireland and to inform communities about the benefits and considerations associated with School Streets.
The guidance has been developed through the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme: a collaboration between An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland, and the National Transport Authority (NTA).
What are School Streets?
School Streets are designated zones outside schools where vehicular access is restricted to certain times of day (typically during drop-off and pick-up times), creating safer, healthier spaces for children and the wider community.
What’s included in the guidance document?
The guidance outlines a step-by-step approach for local authorities and school communities, covering a range of aspects for consideration when planning a School Street: from community engagement and signage to trial implementation and long-term monitoring.
It also includes case studies from local authorities with firsthand experience implementing School Streets in Dublin, Limerick, Galway, Clare, and Waterford.
The guidance encourages local authorities to trial School Streets using Section 38 procedures, monitor outcomes, and transition successful pilots into permanent schemes. It also provides legal signage templates, communication strategies, and design recommendations to ensure inclusive and effective implementation.
The School Streets Guidance document can be accessed below.
A video explaining what is in the document is here
Proven Benefits
In the right location, School Streets can solve a range of issues associated with vehicle congestion at the school gate. Evidence from existing School Streets shows significant improvements in air quality, road safety, and active travel. In Malahide, nitrogen dioxide levels dropped by 23 percent and car use fell by over half. Galway City recorded a 25 percent increase in cycling, while Limerick saw a transformation in the front-of-school environment, with students reporting feeling safer and more confident walking and cycling.
Public support for School Streets is consistently strong, with trials helping to build trust and momentum. The initiative is part of a growing movement, with 19 new School Streets proposed in Ireland in 2024 alone. In London, nearly 700 School Streets have been established since 2019.
