AQW 31233/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 16/09/2025
Answered On Date: 30/09/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on (i) the implementation of part-time 20mph speed limit zones outside schools in South Belfast; and (ii) when future tranches will be announced.

Answer:

Road safety is a high priority for my Department and I am committed to working proactively to make our roads safer for everyone. I am acutely aware that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads.

My Department is currently taking forward a third tranche of part-time 20mph zones at 40 schools across the North and are listed on my Department’s website:

https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/20mph-speed-limit-schools-tranche-3

This will bring the total delivered across the North since 2020/21 to 273 schools.

This initiative is a significant intervention that will help to ensure that children, parents and staff feel safer as they travel to and from school on a daily basis.

This third tranche focuses on rural schools that are located on roads where the national speed limit applies while considering the safety implications of introducing lower speed limits. There are no schools in South Belfast included in Tranche 3.

While the Tranche 3 programme focuses on schools on rural roads where the national speed limit applies, I am aware that there are schools in urban and residential areas which would also benefit from a reduction in speed limits. I have therefore asked my officials to prepare a paper on the use of permanent 20mph speed limits particularly near schools, in predominately residential areas and places such as town centres where there is a higher number of those walking, wheeling and cycling.