AQW 22192/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 07/02/2025
Answered On Date: 20/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any legislative requirements to pursue a reduction in speed limits to bring them in line with the new speed limits on rural local roads in the Republic of Ireland.

Answer:

My Department has well established guidance for setting local speed limits in both urban and rural areas and will reduce the speed limits in certain locations where it is considered that there is a need to do so. Our approach to speed limits in general is something I intend to consider during my time in office along with looking to find ways to reduce the numbers killed each year on our rural roads. I am aware that the default speed limit on rural local roads with an ‘L’ prefix are changing and my officials will keep in contact with their counterparts in the south on the effectiveness of this change.

Under powers conferred by Articles 37 and 38 of the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, my Department can apply new speed limits where and when it is considered necessary to do so.

Any proposals to reduce existing speed limits are subject to careful assessment and consultation. The legislative requirements obligate my Department to firstly publish a Notice of Intention and a draft Order for consultation, advertised in the local press and on my Department’s website. The statutory consultation period is a minimum of 21 days, providing members of the public with the opportunity to review and comment on the proposals. Officials will assess any objections or representations received, engaging with objectors to address and hopefully resolve issues raised to enable the withdrawal so the objections. In circumstances where objections are not withdrawn, an independent senior official will undertake an assessment in line with established guidance, balancing the issues raised against the needs of the scheme.

The decisionmaking process provides for the following options: proceeding with the legislation without recourse to a public inquiry; holding a public inquiry; or withdrawing the proposal.

Subject to my approval, the proposed legislation is presented to the Committee for Infrastructure for its consideration and scrutiny and, if content, officials arrange to make the necessary legislation as soon as practicable thereafter, which becomes operational 21 days later.