Question to the Minister for Infrastructure

Minister's Answer

Road safety is a high priority for my Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and to address the needs of all road users. We are acutely aware that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads, particularly around schools.

The introduction of part-time 20mph zones at schools across the north is a significant intervention that has helped to ensure that children, parents and staff feel safer as they travel to and from school on a daily basis and in recognition of this intervention I announced a third tranche of 40 schools bringing the total delivered since 2020/21 to 273 schools.

This tranche focused on rural schools that are located on roads where the national speed limit applies however I am aware that there are schools in urban and residential areas that would benefit from a reduction in the speed limit, and I am currently undertaking a consultation on Speed Limits which includes the introduction of permanent 20mph zones.

Islandmagee Primary School previously benefitted from a 20mph zone due to its location on a road where the national speed limit applied, however its relocation within a 30mph speed limit means that it does not meet the current criteria for inclusion in this third tranche.

Further consideration on the use of permanent 20mph zones will be taken on completion of the consultation.