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New Belfast speed limit to be introduced within days

Signs in Belfast city centre warning of a new speed limit
Signs in Belfast city centre warning of a new speed limit Signs in Belfast city centre warning of a new speed limit

A NEW 20 mph speed limit on traffic in Belfast city centre is to come into effect within a matter of days.

The reduced speed threshold is part of a bid to cut accidents in urban areas and will be enforced from January 31.

In addition to Belfast city centre, new lower speed limits are also expected to be introduced on certain routes in Newtownabbey, Ballymena, Ballycastle and Ballynahinch.

The new speed limits were originally scheduled to be introduced in October last year.

In its consultation on reducing vehicle speeds in Belfast city centre, the Department for Regional Development proposed new limits on up to 75 streets and roads.

Nobody from the department was available for comment last night, but previously it was said the measures would affect traffic in around Donegall Square/City Hall, extending to an area that takes in Ann Street, May Street, Gresham Street, Upper Queen Street and Talbot Street, as well as stretches of Chichester Street, Waring Street and York Street.

Official research in England has shown that a person hit by a car travelling at 30mph faces a one-in-five chance of being killed, whereas when the speed is reduced to 20mph, their chances of being killed are reduced to one-in-40.