To ask the Minister for Infrastructure when the pedestrian crossing at Prince Charles Way roundabout, at the junction towards the Church Road and O'Neill Road, will be complete.

Ms Kimmins

As I have said in previous responses, road safety remains an absolute priority for me and my Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and to address the needs of all road users. We are acutely aware that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads, particularly around schools.

The Member will be aware that we met to discuss the pedestrian crossing at the Prince Charles Way roundabout. I am pleased to advise that work is progressing well to deliver the proposed toucan crossing. Officials have received the initial design from our traffic signals contractor, and consultation with the PSNI on the relocation of the 50 mph speed limit to facilitate the crossing at that location has been completed. Subject to there being no objections, we anticipate its delivery within the current financial year. In the meantime, other concerns about driver behaviour, such as speeding or other inconsiderate behaviour, should be directed to the PSNI in the normal way through its non-emergency telephone number.

Ms Kimmins

The Member makes a valid point. Obviously, we want to move at pace. As I outlined in my substantive response, there is still a process to go through, and we have to allow for any input into that. Subject to no objections being raised, we should be able to move ahead. I do not have the exact date, but we kept it broad with "within the current financial year". That may be before Christmas. I can try to get a more detailed update from officials to see whether that is likely, because I, too, would like to see it moving, particularly when we have got to this stage. It is progressing well, and we are well on track for its delivery. People want to see it sooner rather than later. I will be happy to provide that update to the Member.

Ms Sheerin

Minister, I commend you on the work that you have done around safety, particularly for young people and children attending school. The work that you have done in response to the death of one of my constituents on the road has been greatly appreciated in my local area. What specific action are you taking around safety at schools, and what messaging can we put out? Last week, I had a call from a concerned principal whose school has a crossing in operation. Even parents who are dropping children off to school are running the red light. What action can the Department take to tackle that?

Ms Kimmins

I thank the Member for her comments. I am keen that we do as much as possible in the rest of the mandate to improve road safety, particularly for children and young people going to and from school. Following the roll-out of the third tranche of the part-time 20 mph speed limit schemes at 40 schools across the North and given my Department's commitment to and focus on improving safety, particularly around rural schools, many of which are on roads that have a 60 mph speed limit, I have asked officials to identify other schools that could benefit from the temporary 20 mph speed limit. That work is ongoing. I look forward to making an announcement on that in the not-so-distant future. Additionally, I was pleased to announce the publication of the '2026 Speed Limit Review Consultation Response Report' on 12 July this year, which sets out the findings of the recently undertaken public consultation. There was significant interest in that because it sets out proposals around permanent reduced speed limits in the vicinity of schools and more built-up residential areas. That will not only improve road safety but encourage active travel, so there will be a double impact from that work. I am keen to progress that further to ensure that our roads are safer for all road users — everybody who is out and about — not just the people who get behind the wheel. The Member will also be aware of the work that is progressing on the safer journeys to school programme, the school bus legislation and the range of measures in and around that to enhance road safety going to and from school.

Mr Harvey

Minister, in light of your commitment to road safety, will you provide an update on the proposed pedestrian crossing at Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch, following the unfortunate incident when a pedestrian was knocked down? It is a matter of real concern for families and staff. I would appreciate a clear timeline for action.

Ms Kimmins

I thank the Member for raising that. Officials undertook a pedestrian survey on the Belfast Road in Ballynahinch in March of this year. The outcome of that assessment was that the location met the Department's criteria for consideration of a controlled pedestrian crossing and was added to the list of potential schemes. Whilst the location has met the assessment criteria, identifying a suitable position for a controlled crossing remains challenging.

That section of the Belfast Road, as the Member is probably aware, has a significant number of private accesses and a junction, as well as on-street parking activity, all of which can be restrictive in determining a suitable location that can safely accommodate a crossing that would comply with road safety and accessibility standards. In addition, pedestrian desire lines along that corridor do not necessarily align with locations where a crossing could be most readily provided.

Those factors require careful consideration as part of the design process. Officials will, therefore, undertake further site assessments and engineer investigations during the detailed design stage to identify whether a safe and practical crossing location can be achieved. The design process will also take into account any future development proposals in the area that may influence pedestrian movements, traffic patterns and the most appropriate location for crossing facilities. In the meantime, officials have assessed existing signs and road markings in the vicinity of the school and will replace existing school warning signs on both approaches to the school and refresh associated road markings. Whilst that is probably not the complete answer that the Member would like, I hope that it shows the willingness and work that is ongoing to achieve a safe and suitable crossing. If the Member wishes to continue to stay in contact with officials as we go through that process, we would be happy to keep him updated.

Ms Hunter

Minister, I welcome the work that you are doing to keep young people at school safe. As elected representatives, we are often inundated with requests for pedestrian crossings. Many have found that process time-intensive. Why is the process so time-intensive? Furthermore, a high number of applications seem to be rejected by your Department. Will you tell us more about that?

Ms Kimmins

As someone who has always been raising those issues in my constituency, I know how important it is to get safe crossings and what the Department calls "local transport and safety measures" to enhance road safety in all constituencies. The answer that I provided to the previous Member outlines some of the challenges and complexities that are associated with something that could look straightforward but that has a number of considerations that have to be taken into account when going through the process. We have clear guidance and policy on how we assess and on the criteria against which those assessments are carried out in determining what meets the assessment criteria. Some applications probably move more quickly than others depending on the location. It would not be fair for me to say that that is the case for all, because sometimes it is not. Budget is also an issue, and we have lists that are prioritised. I mentioned in my previous response that that location was on the list. A number of factors can have an impact on timescales. Whilst I have a limited budget, I have so far identified £8·4 million in my budget for this year to maximise road safety benefits, where we are looking at having more crossings and such things that can improve road safety and enhance active travel opportunities by enabling people to walk or cycle safely. My particular focus is on children and young people, because, if we can start to develop those norms, they will always do it. I hope that that explains how we get to that point, but, if the Member wishes to raise specific locations, she can write to me.