MLA calls for 20mph speed limit at all schools

MLA calls for 20mph speed limit at all schools

18 June 2025

A LOCAL politician has called for mandatory 20mph speed limits outside all schools.

There are currently a number of the temporary limits in operation across the district which are active during school hours advising drivers to slow down.

One is located outside Dundrum’s Sacred Heart Primary where a new pedestrian crossing was recently provided, but further along the village’s Main Street there is no 20mph limit outside Knockevin Special School.

The issue was raised with Stormont roads minister Liz Kimmins by South Down MLA Andy McMurray who urged her to make 20mph limits outside schools mandatory.

During Assembly Question Time he raised the Dundrum issue.

“There is one school with a 20mph limit at one end of the village, but Knockevin School at the other end does not have one. People in the village would greatly appreciate a permanent 20mph zone.”

Mr McMurray said road safety outside schools is extremely important and welcomed the roads minister’s recent efforts in relation to this issue.

“It is welcome that the Department is working on legislation to increase safety around school buses and rolling out a third tranche of part-time 20mph speed limits at additional schools,” he said.

“But there are many schools in my constituency where this is an issue, Knockevin being one of them. I would like to see a blanket 20mph rule outside all schools, rather than this piecemeal approach.”

Mr McMurray said he’s glad Ms Kimmins shares his view, but expressed disappointment that a phased approach to implementing the speed limits is necessary due to budgetary constraints.

The local MLA said he has submitted a written question to clarify whether Knockevin’s Dundrum base will be included in the third tranche.” 

Ms Kimmins confirmed that the DfI is using other measures to improve road safety including 20mph zones around schools and work on the delivery of the so-called Graduated Driver Licensing scheme.

The minister said zones had been introduced at 233 schools in Northern Ireland as part of a phased initiative in recent years, explaining she ultimately wants to get to a place where all schools were protected by the speed reduction measures.

“We have to ensure that we’re mitigating in every possible way against the risks that present on our roads every single day, particularly around our school children who want to get to and from school safely,” she said.

Also last week, the roads minister announced her intention for a law to prohibit the overtaking of school buses which have stopped to off or pick up passengers.

She made the announcement at Parliament Buildings, backing a motion calling for stronger safeguarding measures at school bus stops, including requiring vehicles to stop for school buses and around road layouts.

Ms Kimmins said road safety “is a priority for me” adding recent tragic events have “highlighted the need for all of us to be cognisant of the safety of children when they are getting on or off school buses”.

She revealed that having asked officials within her department to explore the issue, it is her intention to introduce legislation which will prohibit the overtaking of school buses.

“It is incumbent on drivers to take extra care around buses and this was highlighted by my department’s most recent advertising campaign,” the minister continued.

Ms Kimmins added: “We have to ensure that we’re mitigating in every possible way against the risks that present on our roads every single day and particularly around our school children who want to get to and from school safely.”