| Résumé: |
In general, road investment plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of nations, particularly for developing countries like The Gambia. As a matter of fact, it is claimed that road construction allows among other benefits better access to social facilities, however demonstration of this relation is not systematically assessed. Hence, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the contribution of road construction in easing travel to school with specific interest to Darsilami village, in West Coast Region of The Gambia. Brikama-Marakissa-Darsilami-Dimbaya loop road and Darsilami Upper Basic School were selected as case study. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used during this research. The quantitative data was based on a questionnaire administered to 65 students’ respondents from Darsilami Upper Basic School. The qualitative data was collected through discussions and observations in the study area. This research was analysed through Mobility-Motility conceptual framework. In terms of the research’s findings, Darsilami Upper Basic School travel characteristics consists essentially in travel to school on foot over a spatial distribution of approximatively 3 kilometres and within a temporal distribution of 40 min. In general, pupils were pleased with the road construction. Finally, the roads positive impacts consist in the ease of access, travel betterment and wider educational impacts. |