MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) - The Town of Mount Pleasant did not receive funding for one its latest plans. The Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) committee decided to not award funding for the town's Safe Routes to School initiative. It was presented at a recent "Set-Asides" meeting. Funds that were approved would come from CHATS leftover allocations. The initiative was made to address the increasing population in the Charleston area. "We certainly wanted to deal with Charleston County school districts and private schools year-to year as parents change, as student population change," James Aton, deputy director of Mount Pleasant, said. "We really wanted to get ahead of ourselves. Instead of being reactive, kind of be more proactive and seeking out these gaps of infrastructure in order to get improved safety around these schools." However, without funding, the initiative remains paused. The study was proposed to look at topics like vehicle traffic and near-misses around schools. "The hope was to focus in on those schools - everything from elementary to high school," Aton said. "In ways to improve mobility and safety for folks not coming in vehicles, but walking, riding bikes or transit for that matter." Aton said that Mount Pleasant improved bikes paths on Coleman Boulevard and the Isle of Palms Connector which shows they are still able to complete safety projects despite funding issues. "I think the town has funds and has programs in place, while not specifically called Safe Routes to School are still achieving those goals of improving safety and mobility." The town is still working on items in its Safety Action Plan, but intend to put the Safe Routes to School initiative in the next fiscal budget.