The extraordinary commitment of students, staff and parents to improving road safety for pupils at one Galway school was acknowledged last week with a prestigious national award for their efforts.

All involved in Scoil na bhForbacha have pooled their energy and resources to highlight road safety concerns outside their school.

Their campaign included protest walks, student-produced videos, letters to Galway County Council, and participation in local and national media interviews, all aimed at securing safe, reliable crossing infrastructure on the busy R336.

And that saw them honoured last week with a ‘Leading Light Award’ in the Best School Initiative category by the Road Safety Authority. The award was presented at a special ceremony in Croke Park Stadium last week.

Speaking after the ceremony, the school’s Príomhoide Áine Ní Thuathail praised the students’ leadership and determination.

“Tá muid thar a bheith bródúil as gasúir na scoile s’againne atá ag troid go láidir ar mhaithe le slí shábháilte chun na scoile. Is é a gceart é” she said.

“This award recognises their voice; a voice calling for nothing more than the basic right to cross the road safely. We are immensely proud of them,” she added.

The achievement comes after a record 321 submissions were made by Na Forbacha parents and residents to Galway County Council’s consultation on the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) proposal.

This unprecedented response reflects the deep concern locally that without signalised pedestrian lights (puffin crossing) and reduced speed limits, children will remain at risk on one of the busiest and fastest sections of the R336.

Pictured: Scoil na bhForbacha Sixth Class pupils at the awards ceremony in Croke Park.

While the community welcomes elements of the proposed plan, including raised zebra crossings, new signage, and speed reduction measures, residents remain clear that these fall short of what is needed to protect children walking and cycling to school.

“This award showcases the leadership of our young people,” said a spokesperson for Coiste Sábháilteachta na bhForbacha.

“But it also highlights what is still missing: proper, signalised pedestrian lights. Our children should not have to campaign for basic safety. This recognition makes it even more urgent that Galway County Council delivers the protections they deserve.”

Recent media commentary has described the SRTS scheme as a success, but this narrative does not reflect the reality in Na Forbacha, where families must still navigate a 50 km/h national route without a push-button crossing.

Parents made clear that the lack of a secure, controlled crossing continued to be a barrier to allowing their children to walk or cycle to school.

“A zebra crossing on a high-speed route is not enough. Without traffic lights, many families will continue to feel they have no safe option but to drive, undermining the very purpose of Safe Routes to School,” said Áine Ní Thuathail.

The RSA ceremony celebrated the students’ achievements, including a visit to the Croke Park Museum, the Skyline Tour, and a full stadium tour, creating a memorable day that recognised a year of hard work.

But for the children of Scoil na bhForbacha, the ultimate goal remains unchanged – to secure safe active travel routes for all.

Pictured: Students and parents on one of the many protests held in Furbo to demand better safety for those walking and cycling to school.