To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she is considering the introduction of a default part-time 20mph speed limit zone outside every school, with the option for schools to opt out.

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.

At present, my Department is prioritising the introduction of part-time 20mph zones at those schools where such measures are most appropriate, effective, and beneficial. This approach takes into account factors such as the location of some schools on roads where a part-time 20mph zone would not be suitable, as well as the limited resources and funding available. Therefore, we are focusing our efforts on delivering priority tranches, with a significant number of schools already benefitting from these interventions.

My Department is actively progressing a third tranche of part-time 20mph zones at 40 schools, bringing the total to 273 schools since 2020/21. 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. The three tranches equate to an investment of £5m by my Department.

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 and cycling.

My Department is also carrying out a review on a number of speed related matters including 20mph speed limits in general and I plan to undertake a public consultation exercise as part of this review. Further consideration on the use of part time speed limits at schools will be taken on completion of the consultation.