Barr welcomes new part-time 20mph scheme at local primary schools

Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr (Braid)

Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has welcomed the inclusion of two Braid area schools in the latest phase of the Department for Infrastructure’s part-time 20mph speed limit scheme.

Both Carnaghts Primary School and Hazelbank Primary School, rural schools located in the Ballymena area, will benefit from new road safety measures designed to reduce vehicle speeds during school hours.

“One of my priorities for Braid is to develop initiatives to improve road safety,” Councillor Barr said.

“According to PSNI statistics, five pedestrians have been killed on Northern Ireland’s roads since January 2025. These figures are far too high.”

The Department for Infrastructure confirmed this week that a further 40 schools across Northern Ireland will be included in the next tranche of the scheme, bringing the total number of schools covered since 2020 to 273.

The scheme features fixed 20mph speed signs equipped with flashing amber lights that activate during school drop-off and collection times.

Councillor Barr stressed that speed remains a key factor in the severity of road collisions involving pedestrians.

“Speed plays a significant role in causing deaths on our roads. Speed limits are set for a reason. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the risk of a pedestrian who is hit by a car being killed increases slowly until impact speeds reach 30mph. Above this speed, the risk of being killed increases rapidly.

“Moreover, children are the most vulnerable group using our roads.”

Since being elected, Barr has received numerous reports from concerned parents about dangerous driving outside schools in the area. In response, he has worked closely with Robin Swann MP and Colin Crawford MLA to raise the issue directly with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

The councillor has also held site meetings with DfI officials at both schools, which previously led to road markings and warning signs being improved.

“However, the introduction of the part-time 20mph schemes will go much further in improving road safety,” Barr said.

The implementation of the scheme will proceed following statutory processes and confirmation of funding.

Schools in County Antrim set to benefit include:

• Tildarg Primary School, Ballyclare

• Hazlebank Primary School, Aughafatten, Ballymena

• Carnaghts Primary School, Shankbridge, Ballymena

• St. Columba’s Primary School, Garvagh, Coleraine

• Dunseverick Primary School, Bushmills

• Abbey Community College, Newtownabbey

• St Mary’s Primary School, Portglenone, Ballymena

• St Colmcille’s Primary School, Cullybackey, Ballymena

• Creggan Primary School, Randalstown

• Jordanstown School, Newtownabbey

• Glenann Primary School, Cushendall

A full list of the schools included in the third phase of the scheme is available on the Department for Infrastructure website:

🔗 20mph Speed Limit Schools – Tranche 3