Funding of up to £10,000 is now available to individuals and community groups to develop and deliver road safety initiatives in Northern Ireland.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon launched the 2020/21 Road Safety Grant Scheme which is aimed at helping to engage and empower individuals, communities and organisations to promote and practice good road safety behaviours and encourage participation in safe active travel.

Minister Mallon said: "A key priority for me as Minister for Infrastructure is delivering on initiatives that have a positive impact on improving wellbeing for everyone and encouraging safe road user behaviour. Road safety is everyone's responsibility and community involvement plays a vital role in helping to raise awareness of how to stay safe on our roads.

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"I am delighted to announce that the 2020/21 scheme is now open for applications to support local community projects. I would encourage those who believe that they can make a positive contribution by delivering innovative, community-led road safety projects to apply for financial support.

"One of the positive behavioural changes we have seen coming out of the darkness of Covid-19 is more people and families choosing to walk or cycle as part of their journey or daily exercise. Travelling actively has health and environmental benefits which I want to encourage. It is very important that we maximise our efforts in making our roads and footways safer for all users and encourage people to use them for active travel.

"Voluntary and community groups play a vital role in supporting our efforts to reduce the number of deaths on our roads. Everyone has a part to play. If we all take personal responsibility and make better choices which lead to safer actions on every journey, we can make our roads safer for everyone. This is our chance for change, let’s use it and make our communities safer by delivering safer roads for all."

To qualify, groups must be properly constituted, have a bank account and be able to complete the project by 5 March 2021. Applications are also acceptable from individuals who are working in partnership with a community group involved in the process.

Grants must be used on locally focused road safety projects to help the Department achieve outcomes identified within its Road Safety Strategy to 2020.