A government department has said that it is ‘not feasible’ to introduce a speed limit outside a Derry primary school despite ongoing concerns over the safety of its pupils.
Groarty Integrated Primary School on the Coshquin Road faces onto a narrow back road where the speed limit is 60mph.
The school and parents have been campaigning for years to have the speed limit changed to 20mph to make it safer for children attending the school.
One parent, Kieran Doran, shared a post on social media explaining how parents have asked for temporary calming measures during drop-off and pick-up time such as a lay-by, ramps, a lollipop person or a car-park etc.
He said: “It is probably the only school in Derry that has a 60mph road in front of a primary school.
“People use the road as a ‘rat run’ to avoid traffic at the Complex roundabout and there have been people clipped, cars damaged and near accidents with parents walking their children to school.
“The back roads being treated as a Donegal rally circuit is also having a knock-on effect at White House junction and Coshquin.”
His concerns were echoed by Billy Page from Ballymagroarty Hazelbank Community Partnership (BHCP), who said that a new campaign, ’20 is Plenty’ is being launched in an effort to have the speed limit reduced
Mr Page added that a former Roads Minister had assured the school would be looked at two years ago.
However, despite the ongoing concerns, Transport NI has said that it has no plans to lower the speed limit outside the school.
“Groarty Integrated Primary School is located on Coshquin Road a narrow, rural road with little frontage development,” a TransportNI spokesperson said.
“No collisions have been recorded along the stretch of road outside this school within the last three years and the PSNI has not reported any problems with excessive speed.”
“In addition, because of its limited width, speeds are not normally excessive, although the Department accepts that extra care is required from drivers at school ‘set down’ and ‘pick up’ times.
The spokesperson added: “As a result it is not considered feasible at present to introduce a permanent reduced speed limit.
“However, ‘Safer Routes to School’ signage, including school warning signs with flashing amber lights, was installed at this location in 2007/08.”
Photo shows principal of Groarty PS, Nick Tomlinson, Christy Daniels, chairperson of the Ballymagroarty community association, Billy Page, Ballymagroarty and Hazelbank Community Partnership worker with pupils from the school at the launch of a new campaign seeking to have the speed limit outside the school from 60mph to 20mph.
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