Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced the next phase of part-time 20mph speed limit schemes for schools across Northern Ireland.

This initiative is part of the Department's ongoing commitment to improving road safety, particularly for vulnerable road users.

To date, part-time 20mph zones have been implemented at 233 schools. Minister Kimmins has now confirmed that during the 2025/26 period, an additional 40 schools will benefit from this important safety intervention, bringing the total number of schools with these zones to 273 since 2020/21.

Speaking during a visit to St Mary's Primary School in Killesher, which is included in this latest tranche of schemes, Minister Kimmins said: "Road safety is a priority for me 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."

The Minister highlighted the positive impact of the programme. "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. I am therefore pleased today to confirm that an additional 40 schools will benefit from this key road safety measure bringing the total delivered since 2020/21 to 273 schools." This new phase will place a particular focus on rural schools situated on roads where the national speed limit currently applies. However, Minister Kimmins also acknowledged the need for similar measures in urban settings. "I am, however, very much aware that there are also schools in urban and residential areas that would benefit from a reduction in the speed limit. I have therefore asked my officials to prepare a paper on the use of permanent 20mph speed limits, particularly near schools in predominantly residential areas and places such as town centres, where there is a higher number of those walking, wheeling and cycling."

In conclusion, the Minister reiterated the shared responsibility for road safety. "I will continue to give consideration to any steps my Department and our road safety partners can take to help reduce the number of people killed and injured in road traffic collisions. However, there are actions we can all take that will help. 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. As road users we all have a personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps ourselves and others safe."

The full list of schools to benefit from Phase 3 of the 20mph speed limit schemes is available at: www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/20mph-speed-limit-schools-tranche-3