New part-time 20mph speed limits are to be installed outside three local primary schools – but the lack of similar facilities for Markethill has been described as a “glaring omission”.
The Department for Infrastructure has written to ABC Council to advise that it proposes introducing the new speed limits outside Drumhillery Primary at Middletown, Foley Primary on the Ballymacnab Road, and St Mary’s Primary School at Granemore, Tassagh.
This would see existing school warnings replaced with new signs indicating “both the presence of the school and the part-time speed limit”.
These speed limits will be “operational only when the lights on the signs are flashing, and the timings will be strictly controlled to coincide with peak school activity periods”.
In its letter, DfI says it is “currently preparing the necessary legislation to implement these changes”.
The move received a warm welcome at the monthly meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Speaking after the meeting, SDLP Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said: “This is a positive step. As a parent of children who attend St Mary’s, Granemore, I know this will be a welcome additional safety measure by all parents. But ultimately, we need drivers to slow down — particularly in the vicinity of schools.
“In addition to welcoming this, I asked that the Department provide full details of all schools across the council area which are actively being considered for similar safety measures. We need more works like these outside all schools, especially in rural areas.”
However, unionist councillors in the Cusher area raised several other schools they feel should be added to the list – not least Markethill High.
TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe said he welcomed the changes for the three schools selected, calling it “definitely a step in the right direction whenever it comes to protecting our school children”.
But he added: “I have to say there is a glaring omission outside Markethill High School on the Mowhan Road. We still have no reduced speed limits despite the clear dangers raised time and time again by myself, parents, staff of the school and local residents.
“Why should we wait for a tragedy before action is taken? This road is busy, heavily used and a very fast stretch of road, and pupils are crossing it every day.”
Councillor Ratcliffe proposed that the council write to the Department for Infrastructure asking them to “urgently revisit the case for a lower speed limit outside Markethill High School”. He also proposed they be asked to “deliver a pedestrian crossing at Markethill Primary School”.
“Let’s make it clear here tonight that the safety of our children in Markethill is as important as everywhere else throughout the borough,” he stated.
Independent Unionist Alderman Paul Berry seconded the proposal. He said he was “obviously delighted” for the three schools named in the letter.
But he revealed: “I actually had written to the Minister for the DfI who very promptly came back and assured me it would be considered in relation to the 20mph speed limit outside Markethill Primary School and Markethill High School. This Mowhan Road is a very, very busy road, a lot of traffic on it, a lot of children crossing the road, from the town itself of Markethill but also from the rural areas.
“Whilst I welcome the Minister’s letter, engaging with the principals of both schools and the parents who raised it with me, I think it’s very important that we continue to keep the pressure on this. I believe that one day a speed limit will be put on this road. I do believe it.
“I’m glad there’s movement with the progression of the pedestrian crossings, which hopefully will be happening sooner rather than later. There is progress being made, but I think it’s important that we would write to the traffic engineer to keep the pressure on.”
He said they needed to ask why Markethill was not on the list and continue to press for it. And Alderman Berry, at the same time, proposed that they should also raise the need for such speed limits at Clare Primary School, near Tandragee.
It was, he explained, “one that comes up every year”, where speed is a “constant problem and concern for the school and parents”.
Ulster Unionist Alderman Gordon Kennedy said he too had written to the Minister regarding speed limits at Markethill. He told the meeting how he had made representations on behalf of the Board of Governors at Markethill High about arranging a meeting before the end of June.
However, when he called again in July, Alderman Kennedy said he had been told that the person dealing with it had now been “moved up the ladder” and a different individual was responsible.
“It is now the end of September and I am still waiting on that phone call back, which I think is quite unacceptable,” said Alderman Kennedy, who clarified the urgent need: “Outside the high school in Markethill is still officially a 40mph – the 30mph doesn’t kick in until between the two schools.”
The Ulster Unionist seconded the addition of Clare Primary School to council’s proposed correspondence with DfI.
Meanwhile, Alderman Gareth Wilson also offered his support, with the DUP representative further asking that Derryhale Primary School be included too.
