Speed limit call around schools

A proposal to write to the Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon MLA, calling for the scheme to be extended so that every child could benefit was proposed by Alliance Party councillor, Peter Lavery.

The proposal was seconded by Ulster Unionist Party Alderman, Glenn Barr.

In September, the Infrastructure  Minister announced a pilot scheme that saw a 20mph speed limit introduced at 100 schools across Northern Ireland.

A number of schools from across the borough have benefited from the scheme including Armagh CBS, Banbridge Academy and Portadown College.

However, with only 100 schools chosen for the pilot many schools have so far missed out.

The issue made its way onto the agenda of December’s monthly Council meeting thanks to a letter from Ards and North Down Borough Council.

The correspondence notes that no school within the Ards and North Down borough is on the list and sets out its intention to address the matter.

Councillor Lavery said he had sympathy with Ards and North Down Borough Council’s position and would like to see the scheme extended to cover more schools in his constituency.

“I have some sympathy with Ards and North Down Borough Council and I can think of a couple of schools in Lurgan in a similar position,” said Cllr Lavery.

“I think we should also write to the Minister asking if the scheme can be rolled out to all schools.”

Alderman Barr said he would second the proposal.

“It is vitally important it is rolled out to all schools,” he said. “Safety of school children is paramount.”

Editor’s Message:

Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.