Children contribute ideas, school environments become more traffic-safe

To make school environments clearer and safer, new street furniture will be installed at all elementary school in Kerkrade. There are twelve elementary school in the town. At seven schools, the Julie street furniture has already been installed and at two schools it is now under construction. The last three schools will be completed in 2026.  

Children often know best what can be improved in and around their school. That is why they talk to a group of students chosen by the school. This also happened at St. Ursula Elementary School.

Alderman Raoul Vinken (Mobility) interacted with five students about Julie street furniture in March 2025. These are colorful, eye-catching traffic signs and objects specially placed near elementary schools to increase traffic safety and child-friendliness.

The students actively thought about the location of the street furniture. Using a map, they determined the best spots together. A start has been made placing the 'hand'. The other parts of the street furniture will be installed in the near future.

Alderman Raoul Vinken: "Awareness is crucial for traffic safety around schools. By letting children help decide on the location of street furniture, we ensure that they think more about traffic safety. Attention from drivers at these school zones is also important. Let's work together to ensure that school zones are a safe environment for children."