Council driving speed limit reductions across Limerick city

LIMERICK CITY centre streets look set to see their speed limit changed as part of a safety drive from the local authority.

In September, councillors will decide on a change to the by-laws which will see the maximum speed a vehicle can be driven at reduced from 50 kilometres per hour (kph) to 30 kph.

Council bosses say this aims to protect vulnerable road users and encourage sustainable transport like walking and cycling.

A total of 30 thoroughfares and bridges are earmarked for speed limit reductions.

This would include Clancy Strand, Mathew Bridge, and the quay sides.

Upper Mallow Street, Wickham Street, Roches Street and Mungret Street are also included in proposals.

Part of Condell Road and Dock Road, which has had to have in place a 50kph speed limit due to pedestrian crossings, faces a further cut down to 30kph, as does Mulgrave Street.

Council members were ready to approve the limit changes at this month's council meeting, but a decision was subsequently deferred until the autumn.

Councillor Sarah Kiely complained of the quality of information given to members, in particular a map which purported to show the streets proposed.

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"We are the first in the country to introduce this so we need to give it due time and consideration before we approve it. We need to work together to make the right decision with all the information."

Her party colleague, Cllr Daniel McSweeney - who sought the deferral of a decision - added: "I am fully supportive of improving safety on our roads across our city and county but members were not briefed following the public consultation and I believe we needed to be given the time to make an informed decision."

But Labour's Conor Sheehan described the reduction as a "no brainer".

"We are looking to make the city safer for pedestrians. The most dangerous thing for a pedestrian to be hit by is a car. If a pedestrian is hit by a car travelling at 60kph they only have a 25% chance of survival. This is something I feel we have debated extensively, and in my view, I don't see the need to defer this," he told the meeting. "I don't feel the need to have such a big debate over something that in my mind's eye makes complete and utter sense."

Fianna Fail's Kieran O'Hanlon said it was a "sensible plan", adding: "I cannot stand over a situation which would prevent cars slowing down." And Cllr Sean Hartigan, Green Party said: "I don't understand how any councillor could come here and put the kibosh on it.”

Fianna Fail's Catherine Slattery said: "It's crazy to defer this. Accidents are taking place across the city."

The matter went to a vote, with 21 in favour of delaying a decision until September and 13 against.

It exposed a fresh division between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, with Soldiers of Destiny members largely pushing for a decision at this month's meeting.