Call to cut speed limits outside schools amid fears over safety

Drivers can go up to 60mph at 148 educational institutions here, figures reveal

NEARLY 150 schools in Northern Ireland have a 60mph speed limit outside their gates, new figures have shown.

The information was revealed in a written question to Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon by Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan.

The minister said there are currently two schools with a 50mph speed limit outside their gates and 148 schools where the speed is 60mph.

Addressing the issue, Ms Mallon said she wanted to work actively with partners to reduce death and serious injuries on the roads.

“I was therefore delighted to be able to commit funding in this year’s capital budget towards the introduction of new part-time 20mph speed limits at around 100 schools. I am determined that using the roads around all of our schools will be safer for everyone, and it is my intention that through future programmes, part-time 20mph speed limits will apply to roads outside many more schools.”

This had previously been announced in September, with £2m in funding commitments promised to 25 schools in each of Northern Ireland’s four main road divisions selected “based on considerations of need as well as individual site constraints”.

A trial at the time at seven schools showed speed signs with a flashing light had a positive impact on the reduction of speed.

Mr Boylan said urgent action was still needed from the Infrastructure Minister for safety outside schools.

“Across the north, there are 148 schools with a speed limit of 60mph outside their gates,” the Newry and Armagh MLA said.

“This is an extremely concerning statistic and one that cannot be ignored.

“The Infrastructure Minister,

Nicola Mallon, must take urgent action to enhance road safety outside our schools.

“Minister Mallon must extend 20mph zones to all schools across the North.

“The Minister must also roll out a review of road safety outside all schools and implement the necessary measures to enhance road safety, including road crossings and railings.

“Sinn Fein will continue to work to enhance road safety and to protect our young people.”

All i ance Party Education spokesperson, Chris Lyttle MLA, added: “Active Travel surveys have found that 80% of pupils would like to walk or cycle to school but the infrastructure is simply not in place for them to do so safely.”

He added that “73% of schools have no crossing and speed limits are far too high at too many schools”. He said the minister’s commitment earlier this year was “a welcome development” but urged her to prioritise investment in the infrastructure improvements necessary to allow pupils to choose safe and active routes to school”.

Davey Jackson is chairman of Road Safe NI and supported extending the scheme to more schools.

“We certainly welcome seeing more signs being installed but of course a lot of this depends on where these schools are,” he said.

“Those flashing 20mph signs really do act as a deterrent so it doesn’t always have to cost a lot.

“Along with the department, we definitely want to encourage more young people to walk or cycle to school. Unfortunately there still is a fear around roads these days because of the speed of the traffic.”

‘We welcome seeing more signs being installed but a lot of this depends on where the schools are’