Vol. 571 No. 4
448 Mr. Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when his stated intention to have a 20 mph speed limit outside all schools will be implemented following concerns received from St. Annin's national school, Rossacahill, regarding the speed limit outside the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22243/03]
For the purpose of facilitating a comprehensive review of speed limits, I established a broadly based working group in February of this year. The working group presented their report to me last week. I will now give careful consideration to the report and the recommendations that the working group has made.
The review has addressed all of the relevant issues and has been pursued against the background of, among other things, plans to provide for the metrication of speed limits by the end of 2004 and the fact that the last review of speed limits was carried out ten years ago. One of the issues which is discussed in detail in the report is the question of special arrangements for speed limit management at approaches to schools.
A range of measures is available at present for deployment by local authorities to address the particular road safety and traffic management issues that may arise in the vicinity of schools. These measures include the provision of advance warning lights at approaches to schools, including special road traffic signs incorporating flashing lights and the facility to impose a total ban on vehicles stopping at school entrances. Local authorities may also engage a school traffic warden service to stop traffic and assist school children crossing the road where they deem it appropriate.
