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Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced part-time 20mph speed limit schemes for a further 34 schools, including Dromintee Primary School. It is the fourth tranche of the road safety initiative, which will see a total of 307 schools benefit since 2020/21. The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Dromintee Primary School.
Speaking at the school, Minister Kimmins said: “Children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads and I remain committed to doing what I can to improve their safety.”
She said all 34 schools in the latest tranche are located on rural roads where the national speed limit applies and traffic is generally faster. The Minister said she announced the measure for 40 rural schools last year and that the majority of those are now operational, with the remainder to be completed shortly.
“Children, parents and staff have a fundamental right to feel safe as they travel to and from school whether they are walking, wheeling, cycling, driving or taking public transport. The introduction of the part-time speed limits helps slow traffic down at the start and end of the school day as pupils arrive and leave to go home.”
The Minister said the announcement is just one step in her commitment to make roads safer for everyone, particularly the most vulnerable road users. She said she is aware that schools in urban and residential areas would also benefit from a reduction in speed limits.
“Earlier this year, I held a public consultation on a review of speed limits. Included within this review, was an option for permanent 20mph speed limits outside schools in more urban and residential areas. That consultation report will now help inform the next stage of the Speed Limit Review and the development of any future speed limit proposals.”
As part of her Safer Journeys to School programme, the Minister has brought forward a proposal for Executive consideration seeking agreement to introduce legislation prohibiting drivers from overtaking a stationary bus on a 60mph single-carriageway road.
“This would enable the Department to take forward a practical measure to address the risk facing children as they get on and off buses, helping to encourage safer driver behaviour and providing additional protection at one of the most vulnerable stages of the school journey.”
Minister Kimmins concluded with a message to all road users: “I would remind every road user that there are actions we can all take that will help reduce death and injury on our roads. As road users, we all have a personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe. I would urge all drivers to take care on the roads, slow down, ignore mobile phones and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
The full list of schools to benefit from Phase 4 of the 20mph speed limit schemes is available at www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.
