Calls made for installation of average speed cameras on Limerick road
CALLS have been made for a road safety audit of a west Limerick road as there are concerns that traffic moves too fast through the villages along the route.
The R523 passes through the villages of Ardagh and Athea before joining up with the N69 shortly before Listowel.
According to the motion, submitted by Fine Gael councillor for Newcastle West, John Sheahan, the audit should look at “speed limit reductions, driver feedback signs, and average speed cameras”.
The motion was seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Collins.
“The speed of the road is too much,” Mr Sheahan said.
“It might be a good place to trial average speed cameras,” he added. Currently, there are only two locations in Ireland where average speed cameras are in use, one being on the M7 motorway between Junction 26 and 27, past Birdhill and also along the Dublin Port Tunnel.
According to a spokesperson for transportation and mobility for the municipal district of Newcastle West, a road safety audit will likely not comment on the speed limit of any section of road as there is a legislative process that must be followed. This would be “outside the ultimate control of the road safety auditor/local authority to approve.
“The Speed Limit Appeals Procedure, sets out the mandatory procedure that must be utilised by a Roads Authority or National Panel when a member of the public or other interested party raises an objection to a specific speed limit contained within a local authority's current special speed limit by-laws,” the spokesperson said.
“Appeals are processed in line with the procedure and any decision with respect to any appeal will be made in line with the speed limit guidelines. We are aware that the department are in the process of reviewing the national guidance with respect to speed limits and following recent correspondence from the Department of Transport, local authorities are due to provide a briefing with respect to the timeline and potential changes in this guidance.”
According to the spokesperson there is currently no legislation concerning the introduction of average-speed cameras on national, regional or local roads. Transport Infrastructure lreland are currently examining the legislation.