A Special Speed Limit Review was presented to members of Kilkenny County Council this week.
Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act allows local authorities to make speed limit bye-laws for their areas where default speed limits for various road types are considered to be inappropriate.
Director of services, John Mulholland told the members that this was the third review of the speed limits in county Kilkenny as there were reviews following the updating of the speed limits at schools and following the construction of the new M9 motorway.
“It is now proposed to provide for a further review of the Special Speed Limit Bye-Laws and we were advised on this process at recent consultation at Electoral Area Committee Meetings around the county,” said Mr Mulholland.
The following changes were proposed:
The introduction of a new 50kph sped limit at Tullahocht and Castlewarren;
Special speed limit increase from 60kph to 80 kph at Granagh mini roundabout to Newrath roundabout and from Newrath roundabout to Sallypark, extending the 80kph to the junction with the old New Ross Road;
Extensions to existing 30kph, 50kph and/or 60kph at Tullaroan, Windgap, The Rower, Paulstown, Gowran, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown;
Introduction of a special speed limit of 60-kph on the Kells Road at Evergreen Football Club;
And a revisions to the existing Bye-Laws associated with legal issues that have arisen since the most recent Bye-Law review.
Consultation has already taken place with the Gardai and the new speed limits will also go on public display for 30 days to advise people of the upcoming changes to the speed limits.
The council will then consider the new bye-laws at a future meeting.
Cllr Tom Maher pointed out that current speed limits were not being controlled and were being abused regularly.
“There is a case for ramps in some of these villages including Windgap and Tullaroan. The current speed limits are already being abused particularly at weekends. I think the request for ramps should be taken seriously,” he added.
Cllr Matt Doran assured the members that the SPC on traffic would be dealing with the issues regarding traffic calming in the near future.
