New safety measures are on the way for a Banbridge school where there has been repeated calls for improvements, with parents raising concerns over congestion and dangerous driving at drop-off and pick-up times.
Ballydown Primary School in Banbridge is to benefit from a part-time 20mph speed limit under a new road safety scheme announced by the Department for Infrastructure.
And a further 33 schools across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from part-time 20mph speed limits under the latest phase of a road safety initiative.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced the fourth tranche of the scheme on October 22, 2026, with the new measures aimed at improving safety for pupils travelling to and from school.
The latest phase will bring the total number of schools covered by the programme to 307 since 2020/21.
The schools selected are located on rural roads where the national speed limit currently applies and traffic speeds are generally higher.
Ms Kimmins said the measures would help slow vehicles during the periods when children arrive at school in the morning and leave in the afternoon.
“Children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads and I remain committed to doing what I can to improve their safety,” she said.
The minister added that pupils, parents and school staff should feel safe whether travelling on foot, by bicycle, by car or using public transport.
The Department for Infrastructure’s published list identifies 17 schools in its Southern Division, two in the Northern Division and 15 in the Western Division.
Within the Southern Division the 17 schools included in the latest tranche are:
- Lisnadill Primary School, Armagh
- Ballydown Primary School, Banbridge
- St Joseph’s Primary School, Madden
- St Brigid’s Primary School, Drumilly
- St Michael’s Primary School, Killean, Newry
- Brackenagh West Primary School, Kilkeel
- Ballyholland Primary School, Newry
- St Mary’s Primary School, Dechomet
- St Colman’s Primary School, Saval
- St Paul’s, Cabra
- Cortamlet Primary School, near Newtownhamilton
- Clea Primary School, Keady
- Mullaglass Primary School, Newry
- St Patrick’s Primary School, Drumgreenagh
- St John’s Primary School, Middletown
- Our Lady and St Moucha’s Primary School, Keady
- Dromintee Primary School, near Killeavy, Newry
The announcement follows an earlier tranche involving 40 rural schools, the majority of which now have their part-time speed limits in operation. The remaining installations are expected to be completed shortly.
The department’s wider approach has focused on locations where children may be exposed to faster-moving traffic, particularly on rural roads subject to the national speed limit.
However, the minister acknowledged that schools in urban and residential areas could also benefit from reduced speed limits.
A public consultation on a wider review of speed limits, held earlier in 2026, included an option to introduce permanent 20mph limits outside schools in more built-up areas. The findings are expected to help inform the next stage of the review and any future proposals.
Alongside the speed-limit announcement, Ms Kimmins confirmed that she had brought forward a proposal for Executive consideration to introduce legislation prohibiting drivers from overtaking a stationary bus on a 60mph single-carriageway road.
The proposed measure is intended to address the risks children face when getting on and off buses.
The proposal forms part of the department’s Safer Journeys to School programme and would require the necessary agreement before legislation could be taken forward.
The minister also urged all road users to take responsibility for safety, including reducing speed and avoiding mobile phone use while driving.
The fourth tranche represents a further expansion of Northern Ireland’s school road safety measures, with the focus remaining on reducing risks for children travelling along roads where vehicles may otherwise be permitted to travel at national speed limits.
