In response to the HSE ‘Interim Recommendations’ for the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, Green-Schools Travel have developed ‘Safe to School – An Ideas Document for Safe Access to Schools’ for schoolsto consider implementing in order to allow for recommended physical distancing on arrival to school and to address front of school vehicle congestion. Measures presented range from creative, temporary initiatives that schools can implement themselves, through to measures to permanently upgrade active travel infrastructure, which will require Local Authority involvement.
In preparation for the planned return of schools in September, Green-Schools conducted research in May and June 2020 to establish the level of concern about enabling safe access to schools.Of the initiative, Green-Schools Travel Manager Jane Hackett, said: “‘We are eager to see students and teachers return to school in September, however we recognise the problems facing schools when it comes to social distancing at the school gate. We have put this document together to support school Principals, Boards of Managements and Local Authorities to put in place interventions which can support walking, cycling and reduce congestion at the school gate. At a time of immense pressure facing schools we hope that this document can go some way in supporting schools and offer them tangible solutions to new problems which have arisen due to Covid-19. Green-Schools has been working with schools nationwide since 2008 to reduce congestion at the school gate and we hope that our experience can help schools during this unprecedented time.”
For more information see https://greenschoolsireland.org/safe-to-school/
