Regional Development Minister joins pupils in Swatragh to celebrate opening of footbridge and cycleway

Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy, has attended the opening of a new footbridge and cycleway at St. John’s Primary School, Swatragh.

He was joined by teachers and pupils from the school, members of the local community and MP for the area Martin McGuinness.

The improvements at the school were provided by Roads Service as part of the Rural Safe Routes to Schools Project, which is managed by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans. They include the provision of a pelican crossing, along with new safety lights and improved road markings, which will enable pupils and their families to choose to walk or cycle to school and get around their local area.

Speaking about the Rural Safe Routes to Schools Project and his visit to view the new footbridge and cycleway at St. John’s Primary School, the Minister said: "I welcome the opportunity to see today the completed new footbridge and cycleway here at St. John’s Primary School, and to join with the pupils and the members of the local community to celebrate the opening. The success of the work here at St. John’s Primary School demonstrates that Rural Safe Routes to School is an excellent partnership project, which works to keep our children as safe as possible, through improving infrastructure near schools and educating young people about how to travel safely.

“There is no doubt that this partnership project highlights the benefits of considering alternatives to the ‘school run' which accounts for 20% of the traffic each morning and adds to congestion outside schools. Walking or cycling to school not only eases congestion, it is also a healthier option which provides people an opportunity to adopt a healthier lifestyle. I commend the work of all the partners in the project."

The £1.3million Rural Safe Routes to Schools Project, has been working successfully over the past 12 months with 18 rural schools, to reduce car journeys and increase cycling and walking amongst children and young people on their way to and from school. The investment at St. John’s PS totalling almost £197,000, was funded largely by the Department of Agriculture through the EU Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity. The partnership project also received funding from the Department for Regional Development, the Department of Education and the Department of the Environment.

Jill McDonald, of Sustrans congratulated St John’s Primary School saying: “It is fantastic to see that the number of young people walking or cycling has significantly increased over the last 12 months. This is children showing adults very clearly the way forward in modern sustainable travel. This is just one example of many great successes across the 18 schools we have been working with.

“This dramatic change in behaviour occurred in just 12 months, it is vital that work such as this carries on for many years to come. It shows how partnership working between our young people, civil society and Government can achieve great results in a short period of time. I hope the Rural Safe Routes to School programme will act as a model for future work in every part of Northern Ireland.”

In addition to the new facilities and route at St John’s Primary School, Sustrans has been working with the school to help them develop their school travel plan to further increase the levels of cycling and walking over the coming years. Throughout the year the school has been proactive in putting on mass bike rides and walk to school days.

Notes to Editors:

1. Schools involved in the Rural Safe Routes to School Programme were: Ballinamallard, Broadbridge, Cloughmills, Gracehill, Hezlett, Kilbride, Killylea, Killyleagh, Moneymore, St Colmcille's, St Jarlath's, St John's, St Joseph's, St Mary's (Antrim), St Mary’s (Armagh) St Patrick's (Tyrone), St Patrick’s (Fermanagh), and Templepatrick.
2. Sustrans’ Rural Safe Routes to Schools project aims to achieve a 10% reduction in car journeys in 18 schools and also to increase levels of walking and cycling in the north. Before the project, 64% of children were driven to school; this has now fallen to below 50%. Cycling and walking combined also increased from 25% 40%.
3. For further information on Sustrans please contact Ed Howarth in the Sustrans Press Office on 0117 915 0109 (Direct Line) or visit: the Sustrans website.
4. Media Queries for Department for Regional Development please contact: Press Office, Tel 028 90 540004. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.