Confirmation that no new speed indicator devices are to be bought in the next financial year has been described as a “negative step”.
While money can be spent maintaining those which are already available, a freeze on buying new devices – which act to encourage motorists to slow down – has been detailed by Justice Minister Naomi Long.
Newry and Armagh DUP MLA Gareth Wilson has been left aghast at a decision which he says “undermines work around speed presentation and road safety”.
He was speaking after a response to a written question which confirmed the present state of play.
Mr Wilson had asked the Justice Minister if she would “permit” the Policing and Community Safety Partnerships Joint Committee to authorise the partnerships to purchase new speed indicator devices in the 2026/27 financial year
Minister Long said her own Department – working alongside the Northern Ireland Policing Board through the PCSP Joint Committee – provided £4.25 million each year in “operational and administrative funding”.
She added: “That funding helps PCSPs address a wide range of local community safety priorities across council areas, including work on road safety.
“I am aware that PCSPs have previously invested in speed indicator devices, and that there are currently 158 mobile and fixed devices in place across Northern Ireland that have been purchased and are being maintained by PCSPs.
“While road safety policy sits with the Department for Infrastructure and it doesn’t routinely fund these devices it has issued guidance on their appropriate use, which is available on its website.”
The Minister, however confirmed: “Given the range of road safety initiatives already in operation, and the need to balance these with other important community safety priorities within a limited budget, the Joint Committee agreed that, while funding may continue to be used to maintain existing devices, no new speed indicator devices should be procured by PCSPs during the 2025/26 financial year using Joint Committee funding.
“There has been no change to this position for the 2026/27 financial year.”
Mr Wilson is a former member of ABC Council’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership and has said he has seen first hand the benefits of these speed indicators.
He was, therefore, dismayed by the “restriction” on future purchases.
“Speed indicator devices work and work well in highlighting speed coming into towns and villages, where residents feel speed is excessive,” said Mr Wilson.
“I spent a number of years on our local PCSP and routinely raised the need for more SIDs and I was concerned that the Joint Committee and the Department had placed a blockage on this.
“I have seen the value of these devices in various areas over the last few years – both mobile and permanent versions – and there is no doubting in my mind their impact and use in alerting motorists to the speed limit and their actual speed in real time.
“The fact that local PCSPs cannot buy new SIDs is really negative in my opinion and I have made these views already known to my local PCSP in previous meetings.
“With road accidents, injuries and sadly fatalities showing little sign of reducing, the need for additional speed awareness measures has never been greater.”
The Newry and Armagh MLA said he would “continue to lobby” for change to the current situation.
“I do feel strongly that removing the purchasing restriction would be highly important for local PCSPs in order to enable them to respond to an increasing need in the community where speed is routinely a major concern,” said Mr Wilson.
“The approach on this issue much change and I hope that the Minister would change her mind in the coming financial year and reverse this restriction.”
