Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

A traffic management plan for a particular area is primarily a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Dublin City Council. There are, however, some supports designed at central government level that can assist both local authorities and local entities, including schools, in better managing traffic and its impact on their area.

The sustainable transport measures grants, STMG, programme is administered on my behalf by the National Transport Authority, NTA. It provides Exchequer-funded support to the seven local authorities in the greater Dublin area, GDA, in implementing sustainable transport projects, including traffic management schemes in their areas. The NTA is responsible for deciding allocations to local authorities under this grant scheme.

The sustainable travel policy Smarter Travel 2008-2020 encourages all schools to have a travel plan. Such plans can set out ways for encouraging students to take alternatives to the car. As part of that programme, local authorities offer support via the identification and implementation of safe walking and cycling routes to and from schools and other educational institutions as well as by providing better access for people with disabilities. Some local authorities provide helpful guidance for schools on the possible content of such plans.

The Green Schools programme's travel element, known as GST, is an activity-based mobility management programme which, following a two-year pilot in the GDA, has been in operation nationally since 2008. This may be of interest to the 12 primary and post-primary schools in the Grace Park Road and Griffith Avenue area. It is rolled out in schools that have completed the first three themes of the Green Schools programme, which are litter and waste, energy, and water. Schools take two years to complete the travel programme. GST is funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, with moneys provided through the NTA to An Taisce, which operates the programme.

The NTA has also produced a toolkit for school travel which is designed, in particular, for use by schools that are currently not engaged with the Green Schools programme but are specifically interested in addressing travel planning for their location. The NTA's toolkit presents a set of possible measures for promoting a reduction in car usage on the trip to and from school. It also encompasses measures aimed at mitigating the impact of traffic on the community around the school.

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