Challenge
The Portlaoise Schools Cluster Project is part of the Portlaoise Low Carbon Town Initiative. While the project was initiated by Laois Co. Co., it is run in the 10 primary and secondary schools of Portlaoise by Green-Schools.
The aim of the project is to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and safety on the way to school. This will be achieved by encouraging students, parents and teachers to walk, wheel, cycle, scoot, park & stride, use public transport or carpool instead of using the private car on the school run. Beside the environmental benefits, the added bonus of active travel will be improved physical and mental health for all.
Solution
The project is planned to run over 2 years, with the 10 schools involved organising WOW and COW days. WOW days, also known as Walk On Wednesdays, are a weekly initiative where the whole school community is asked to make the extra effort to travel sustainably to school, with a focus on walking or park & stride (park away from the school and walk the rest of the way). COW days are a similar initiative focusing on cycling (Cycle On Wednesdays).
Green-Schools has also been facilitating workshops in the schools, for example cycle training, bike maintenance, scooter training, Travel Forums where the students have the opportunity to discuss and plan solutions to the local traffic problems.
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Log inTime period
Planning time
1 to 2 years
Implementers
Green-Schools
Service providers
Green-Schools and Laois Co. Co.
End users
School communities - students, parents, school staff