New speed limits for Kildare estates
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A 30km/h speed limit will come into effect in July for housing estates where Kildare County Council is responsible for the roads.
This was confirmed at the most recent meeting of Kildare County Council where cllr Pat Balfe brought forward a motion proposing “that the council reviews road safety in rural residential areas, particularly older estates and villages where increased traffic is creating safety concerns for families and pedestrians.”
Cllr Aoife Breslin seconded the motion.
Acting director of services for transportation, mobility and open spaces Siobhan Scully issued the council’s response, which noted that the council passed new byelaws in December of last year to implement ‘Jake’s law’, which sets a mandatory 30km/h speed limit in residential housing estates that are taken in charge by the council.
The response stated that this will come into effect in July.
The response also outlined how the council has implemented the first phase of the national speed limit changes which involved the reduction of the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80 km/h to 60 km/h.
The local authority is preparing the second phase, which will involve “the introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in built-up and urban areas for implementation before 31 March 2027”.
Ms Scully’s report also said that the Road Safety Working Together Group is being set up to bring key organisations together, including An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, Kildare Fire Service and the council.
The group is set to meet for the first time “in the near future”.
They will share information on road safety issues, identify local risks and trends, and work together to plan and deliver campaigns and initiatives, depending on available resources.
Speaking at the meeting, cllr Balfe welcomed the establishment of this group and acknowledge “the positive steps” that the council has taken in relation to road safety.
He said however that residents in older rural residential areas are “increasingly concerned” about several issues such as pedestrian safety, speeding, inadequate footpaths and poor crossing points.
He said that “while county-wide policy changes are important, localised interventions will still be needed”.
He also asked the council for clarity on who exactly will make up the road safety group, and if elected members will part of it.
He requested that rural residential road safety concerns be considered as agenda item for the first meeting. Ms Scully said that this would be added to the agenda.
