Proposed Front-of-School Works on Harold's Cross Road

Overview

Update, April 2024

Thank you to everyone who gave feedback during our consultation phase. You can find a synopsis of feedback received and our responses to this in the document 'Harold's Cross Consultation Feedback'. The design of the School Zone has not changed so please refer to the designs attached for reference to what will be installed. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dublin City Council with the support of the National Transport Authority proposes to implement Front-of-School works to improve the safety of students and vulnerable road users accessing and exiting Harold's Cross Educate Together Schools and St Clare's Primary School on Harold's Cross Road, Dublin 6.

What are School Zones?

School Zones are built infrastructural upgrades that are designed to give priority to students at the school gate by freeing up footpaths and reducing vehicle drop-offs, pick-ups and idling. The aim is to increase safety at the front of school and prioritise active travel (walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting) to and from school.

Image 1: Example of School Zone at Star of the Sea School, Sandymount, D4 

 School Zones are implemented around the world in order to: 

• Increase student safety
• Reduce vehicle drop-offs, pick-ups and idling outside the school gate.
• Reduce congestion and prioritise active travel (walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting) to and from school
• Encourage slow, safe driving in the area of the school
• Promote considerate parking
• Reduce emissions and pollution, and improve air quality and noise quality by reducing volume of traffic at schools and vehicles with engines idling

Where will these works take place?

These works will take place on Harold’s Cross Road outside of Harold’s Cross Educate Together Schools and St. Clare’s Convent National School.

What works will take place?

The works will consist of:

Rigid yellow pencil bollards on the footpath along the edge of the eastern footpaths within the Educate Together School Zone area and on the eastern and western sides of Harold’s Cross Road at St. Clare’s Convent. Pencil bollards are depicted as pink dots on the design drawing.

All residential entrances will remain unobstructed.

Image 4: Example pencil bollard on footpath, Cromcastle, Kilmore, Dublin 5

‘School Zone’ road surface signs will be painted on approach from both northern and southern routes at both schools. This is to advise motorists they are in a School Zone and to drive accordingly.

Image 5: Example road surface sign for School Zone, Leinster Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6   

Colourful road markings consisting of yellow, orange and red circles painted directly on the road at entrance to St. Clare’s Convent National School and Harold’s Cross Educate Together Schools.

Image 6: Example circle road surface markings, Thornville Rd, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5

New ‘School Ahead’ with flashing amber signs will be installed on Harold’s Cross Road on both sides of the road on approach to both schools. This is to advise motorists they are in a School Zone and to drive accordingly.

Image 7: Example of a School Ahead sign with flashing amber signals

Why are we implementing this School Zone?

Traffic related safety concerns have been reported and observed by the schools, parents, Dublin City Council’s School Warden Service, Parking Enforcement and School Mobility Officer, including:

• Illegal vehicular parking on cycle and bus lanes endangering cyclists
• Increased volumes of traffic on the road
• Speeding and high volume of traffic on Harold’s Cross Road

If you would like to share comments or thoughts on these works please complete the survey below. Alternatively you can share feedback by contacting us via:

• Email: sustainablemobility@dublincity.ie (with Harold's Cross School Zone in the subject bar)
• Phone: Customer Services Desk 01 222 2222 they will refer you to an available member of the School Mobility team
• Postal Address: School Mobility Programme, City Centre Transports Projects, Block 2, Floor 7, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8, Ireland, D08 RF3F

This period of non-statutory consultation closes at midnight on 30th November 2023.

What happens next?

We will review all the comments and observations and, where appropriate, make required changes to the design. Works will then be scheduled for installation.

For the School Zone front-of-school treatment to work effectively, parents who need to drive must be willing to change their drop off and pick up habits. Parents and guardians will be encouraged not to collect and drop off within the School Zone. They must park respectfully and legally outside of the School Zone by not blocking other entrances, mounting footpaths or double parking.

A hard copy poster of the design will be on view at the school gate.

Image 8: Snippet of design drawing for Harold's Cross Educate Together Schools

Image 9: Snippet of design drawing for St Clare's Convent School